Nearly 200 Chemicals Linked to Breast Cancer Identified in Packaging | Health

Nearly 200 potential breast cancer-related agents have been found in food packaging and other food contact materials (FCM) on the market, according to a study by the Food Packaging Forum released Tuesday.

In the conclusions of the article published in Scientific journal Frontiers in ToxicologyResearchers warn of regulatory loopholes and highlight the urgent need for stronger preventive measures to reduce the presence of these cancer-causing chemicals in everyday products.

The researchers included in their analysis only the most recent studies (2020-2022) available in the FCCmigex database, which collects information from thousands of published scientific studies on chemical products in food-contact materials (FCMs). These recent studies simulate more realistic conditions for the transport (migration) of these substances in the materials. The sample used included food-contact materials purchased in recent years in several countries, including regions with strict regulations, including the European Union and the United States.

Even considering only real-world conditions of use, evidence of exposure to 76 suspected breast carcinogens from MFC purchased worldwide was found, 61 of which (80%) came from Plastic.

In other words, despite existing regulations—in fact, cancer is one of the few health indicators specifically targeted in regulations and testing for these ingredients—the world's population is still continually exposed to these chemicals.

For Jane Monkey, director general of the Food Packaging Forum, discovering the extent of regulatory gaps is also an opportunity to prevent human exposure to chemicals that cause breast cancer. “The potential for cancer prevention through reducing hazardous chemicals in everyday life has been little explored and deserves more attention,” said the study’s co-author.

Further investigation

Last week, a study published by researchers at the Silent Spring Institute, in collaboration with members of the Food Packaging Forum, provided evidence that Humans are widely exposed to chemicals. Food contact (FCC).

For context: More than 14,000 chemicals are known to come into contact with food. By analyzing surveillance databases, the team found evidence of 25% (3,601) of these chemicals in humans, including 80 FCCs with properties of high concern in terms of hazard.

Based on the data, the researchers also identified 175 FCC priority chemicals that are frequently detected in food. However, 59 of the FCC priority chemicals are not included in the hazard inventories, revealing a lack of data on these chemicals.

Furthermore, 49 of these FCCs that do not have hazard data have never been searched for in human samples, leaving the implications of potential human exposure to these chemicals when they come into contact with food unknown.

The article was published last week in the scientific journal Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiologyfrom the group nature.