a Shocking New Research It turns out that around 200 chemicals linked to breast cancer are used in food packaging, and even worse, they can potentially let dozens of carcinogens into your body.
“There is strong evidence that 76 known or potential breast carcinogens are detectable in humans in recently purchased food-contact materials around the world,” said co-author Jane Mahnke, managing director and chief scientific officer of the Food Packaging Forum, a Zurich-based nonprofit foundation. He told CNN this week.
The discovery comes amid a sharp rise in cancer diagnoses among young people. January Survey A study led by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found that breast cancer diagnoses in women under age 50 have been steadily increasing over the past two decades.
“Removing known or suspected carcinogens from the food supply represents a major opportunity for cancer prevention,” Mahnke argues.
Silent Spring Institute — A scientific research institute focused on the links between chemicals, women's health and breast cancer — The list was published 2007 Over 200 chemicals Causing Breast cancer in animals.
Update the list Earlier this year They identified 921 suspected carcinogens, including 642 chemicals that may stimulate the production of estrogen and progesterone. Known risk factors Because of breast cancer.
“The fact that so many potential breast carcinogens are present in food packaging and can end up in our food is just one example of how many chemicals we are unknowingly exposed to every day,” Jenny Kaye, a research scientist at Silent Spring and co-author of the 2024 revision, told CNN.
Published on Monday Journal: Frontiers in Toxicology This latest study compares the Silent Spring database of known breast cancer carcinogens with the Food Contact Chemicals Database monitored in humans (FCChumon).
Created by the Food Packaging Forum, FC Jumong A list of food contact chemicals that have been found in human breast milk, blood, urine and other tissues.
“In the new study, we compared our list of potential breast carcinogens to a list of chemicals found in food contact materials to see which of the potential breast carcinogens may be getting into people's diets,” Kaye told CNN. “This is a great way to prioritize chemicals for regulatory action.”
The study found that the majority of carcinogen exposure was linked to the plastics used in food packaging, but 89 suspected carcinogens were found in paper and cardboard containers.
“The paper has additives in it, like emulsifiers and adhesives, so for example the paper is glued together, or there's a layer of plastic glued to the paper,” Mahnke says.
Among the chemicals identified in the study are PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
PFAS are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely used since the 1950s in packaging, clothing, carpets, firefighting foam and even toilet paper. PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because their strong molecular bonds mean they don't break down easily and accumulate over time in humans, animals and the environment.
PFAS are used in food packaging to prevent liquids from seeping into the wrapper, and are also found in the inks used on food containers.
Research into the health risks of PFAS is ongoing, but studies conducted to date have revealed possible health effects, including metabolic and fertility changes, reduced fetal growth, increased risk of overweight and obesity, increased risk of cancer, and weakened immune systems.
“Packaging is there to protect our food and keep it safe to consume,” Sarah Gallo, senior vice president of product policy and federal affairs at the Consumer Brands Association, which represents the consumer products industry, told CNN.
“FDA reviews and approves food contact substances through a science- and risk-based system before they reach the market,” she continued. “FDA's postmarket review also involves ongoing safety analysis and regulation of approved substances.”
The FDA Public Meetings The company is expected to unveil its solutions to improve post-market food analysis on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Silent Spring says consumers can mitigate risks Due to exposure to a toxic substance:
- To avoid contaminants that can build up in fat, remove the fat and skin from meat and fish before cooking, and drain any fat that builds up during cooking.
- Choose small, young seafood over larger, older ones, and avoid canned foods and wet foods packaged in plastic or cardboard linings.
- Choose organic produce, meat and dairy when possible.
- Avoid Burning or scorching meat.
- Heat food in the microwave and store food in glass instead of plastic.
- Switch to a glass or stainless steel French press or drip coffee maker.
- Phase out nonstick pans from your kitchen.
- Use glass or stainless steel water bottles instead of plastic.
- Do not drink water from a plastic water cooler.
- Use a solid block or granular carbon filter to purify your drinking water.
