What does food packaging have to do with breast cancer? Apparently nothing, except that in many cases these release a series of carcinogenic substances
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Breast cancer is among the most widespread cancers in the world, affecting millions of women every year. While genetic and hormonal factors doubtlessly constitute a major cause of the disease, recent investigations have increasingly suggested a probable risk-enhancing effect even from toxic exposures and environmental contaminants.
One of the worrying aspects is the use of chemical compounds in food packaging materials, which can migrate to foods and potentially accumulate in our body.
A closer look at the “invisible” risks of food packaging
The latest scientific research from Switzerland has brought the issue again into the spotlight. Conducted by the Food Packaging Forum and published in the science journal Frontiers in Toxicology, almost 200 chemicals used in food packaging have been identified as potentially carcinogenic. More precisely, 189 such substances are potential or confirmed breast carcinogens found within a range of common materials coming into contact with food, including plastics and cardboards.
As stated, in one press release by the Food Packaging Forum:
“There is evidence of exposure to 76 potential and confirmed mammary carcinogens from FCMs, 61 of which (80%) originate from plastics.”. The following 76 mammary carcinogens recently identified and listed below were found in FCMs purchased from markets around the globe including Brazil, Canada, China, Ghana, Egypt, the European Union (Austria, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Spain), India, Iran, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Syria, Turkey and the United States. Under normal conditions of use this would expose global populations to these chemicals.
To make these determinations, scientists compared a database of chemicals that can migrate from packaging materials with a list of potential breast carcinogens developed by the Silent Spring Institute.
These findings indicate that food packaging may serve as an ongoing source of exposure to chemicals that foster the growth of cancer.
What is most worrisome, however, is that food packaging containing such carcinogens is perfectly legal, having its origin in regulated markets such as the European Union and the United States. This clearly illustrates that current regulations are not up to the task of preventing exposure to harmful compounds.
According to Dr. Jane Muncke, the Managing Director of the Food Packaging Forum: “This presents a huge opportunity in the fight against cancer. If the population reduces its level of exposure to such chemicals, this might have direct implications on public health; there is still much work to be carried out both at a regulatory level but also in raising awareness among companies.
The evidence is clear: we are chronically exposed to these substances with all the associated risks.
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Frontiers
Food wrappers: a known health threat
This is hardly the first study to suggest that packaging our food is a threat to our health. Just last week we reported on an international study validating those concerns, revealing that more than 3,000 substances can migrate from plastic, cardboard, and other forms of packaging into food and, thus, into our bodies.
What chemicals is it talking about? Heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, phthalates, among other hazardous chemicals whose internal exposure is linked with endocrine disorders and an increased risk of cancer – not just that of the breast.
Speaking of PFAS, one should also mention how ubiquitous those are. The so-called “new PFAS,” which have recently been identified in paper food packaging, are also harmful.
After the latest scientific investigation, little room can be left for doubt. When will something finally be done about this problem?
Sources: Food Packaging Forum / Frontiers in Toxicology