Chemicals In the Food Chain

The current epidemic of obesity has inspired what some might characterize as a witch hunt mentality with blame going to a wide and growing list of "villains," including the fast food industry, HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup), watching too much TV and even school lunches. Now researchers from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine think they may have found a clue: endocrine disruptors such as phthalates used in food packaging. Kids in New York City’s East Harlem are 3x more likely than other children in the U.S. to be overweight, and perhaps not coincidentally high levels of these chemicals have turned up in their urine. The researchers think the mechanism for promoting obesity may be caused by disruptions in the hormones controlling growth and development. A study of 400 girls found the heaviest had the highest concentration of phthalates metabolites in the urine samples tested. A second study of East Harlem residents 6-8 years old showed higher levels of phthalates than the national average.

Phthalates are primarily used as plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyvinyliden chloride (PVDC) polymers to increase flexibility in a variety of food packaging products, including films. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is conducting research into phthalates, but so far has said "there are no studies in humans that are adequate to serve as the basis for regulatory decision-making."

Not exactly a ringing safety endorsement.

Phthalates aren't the only chemicals on the scientific community’s radar screens: perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), found in grease-resistant microwave popcorn bags and pizza boxes have been linked to infertility. Bisphenol A (BPA) has even been banned from use in infant formula bottles. BPA is component of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins used in the manufacture of reusable beverage containers, as well as the linings to soda cans. Green Century Capital Management, an investment group that targets environmentally-friendly companies for its financial services clients, has issued a report on 20 large publicly-traded manufacturers that denounces their inaction in removing BPA or in implementing meaningful reductions. Of the fourteen companies queried by Green Century that responded, only four had implemented alternative formulations with less BPA, and only one had found a substitute. Hain Celestial, Heinz, and Nestle all received top scores. The other companies contacted included Campbell Soup, Coca-Cola, ConAgra, Chiquita, Dean Foods, Del Monte, General Mills, Hershey, Hormel, J.M. Smucker, Kellogg's, Kraft, McCormick, PepsiCo, Sara Lee, Sysco, and Unilever.

Chemical industry lobbyists concede that "small" amounts of BPA leach into foods and beverages from polycarbonate bottles and can liners, but insist there is no reason for alarm. And so far the National Institute of Health (NIH) has not shown more than "some concern" (an official level of watchfulness) about the chemical, and that only for its possible deleterious effects in baby bottles.

While it's good that most baby bottle manufacturers have vowed to phase out BPA usage, they are only doing so for bottles sold in the U.S.