Dangers of Chemicals in Food Packaging
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"Whereas the science for some of these substances is being debated and policy makers struggle to satisfy the needs of stakeholders, consumers remain exposed to these chemicals daily, mostly unknowingly."
Remember the fluid that was used to preserve the animals dissected in high school? Formaldehyde is only one of thousands of other chemicals that come into contact with packaged food either intentionally or during the manufacturing process.
Unknowingly, people are consuming carcinogens and hormone disruptors which increase risk of developing cancer, autism, and infertility. There is a lack of attention on chemical contamination from food packaging and all the surfaces processed foods have come in contact with. Plastics are not legally considered as a contaminant.
Even organic foods have experienced some form of contamination. For instance organic milk has come in contact with plastic tubing during the milk extraction process.
Action has been taken to reduce the usage of dangerous chemicals like BPA which causes hormonal disruptions and was formerly used in the production of baby bottles. Knowing the harmful effects, control of the substance becomes a possibility. However, over 75% of the chemicals used in the food processing and food packaging industry have not been tested for toxicity due to the lack of emphasis on chemical contamination.
Avoiding process foods, plastic containers, and plastic water bottles are ways to reduce exposure to any potentially toxic chemically. Try buying organic and use stainless steel or glass storage containers instead.
It is important to keep in mind that chemical contamination although present, may not be as severe as it sounds. For example a 100 gram apple contains just as much formaldehyde as 20 L of bottled mineral water. Expecting warning labels on such product is not likely in the near future.
SOURCE
Barton, Adriana. "Scientists Raise Concerns over Chemicals Leaching into Food from PackagingAdd to ..." The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail, 19 Feb. 2014. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-
fitness/health/scientists-raise-concerns-over-chemicals-leaching-into-food-from-packaging/article16981094/>.
Ellis, Marie. "Food Packaging Chemicals 'may Be Harmful to Human Health." Medical News Today. MediLexicon
International, 20 Feb. 2014. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272910.php>.
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"Whereas the science for some of these substances is being debated and policy makers struggle to satisfy the needs of stakeholders, consumers remain exposed to these chemicals daily, mostly unknowingly."
Remember the fluid that was used to preserve the animals dissected in high school? Formaldehyde is only one of thousands of other chemicals that come into contact with packaged food either intentionally or during the manufacturing process.
Unknowingly, people are consuming carcinogens and hormone disruptors which increase risk of developing cancer, autism, and infertility. There is a lack of attention on chemical contamination from food packaging and all the surfaces processed foods have come in contact with. Plastics are not legally considered as a contaminant.
Even organic foods have experienced some form of contamination. For instance organic milk has come in contact with plastic tubing during the milk extraction process.
Action has been taken to reduce the usage of dangerous chemicals like BPA which causes hormonal disruptions and was formerly used in the production of baby bottles. Knowing the harmful effects, control of the substance becomes a possibility. However, over 75% of the chemicals used in the food processing and food packaging industry have not been tested for toxicity due to the lack of emphasis on chemical contamination.
Avoiding process foods, plastic containers, and plastic water bottles are ways to reduce exposure to any potentially toxic chemically. Try buying organic and use stainless steel or glass storage containers instead.
It is important to keep in mind that chemical contamination although present, may not be as severe as it sounds. For example a 100 gram apple contains just as much formaldehyde as 20 L of bottled mineral water. Expecting warning labels on such product is not likely in the near future.
SOURCE
Barton, Adriana. "Scientists Raise Concerns over Chemicals Leaching into Food from PackagingAdd to ..." The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail, 19 Feb. 2014. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-
fitness/health/scientists-raise-concerns-over-chemicals-leaching-into-food-from-packaging/article16981094/>.
Ellis, Marie. "Food Packaging Chemicals 'may Be Harmful to Human Health." Medical News Today. MediLexicon
International, 20 Feb. 2014. Web. 24 Feb. 2014. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272910.php>.