Petition to Increase FDA Regulation of Chemicals in Food, Beverage, and Personal Care Product Packaging Materials

Studies have shown that packaging materials can influence the chemical makeup of the product they contain. The chemicals used in new petrochemical-based materials such as plastics* have given rise to an unprecedented threat to human health when it comes to the implications of packaging materials. Plastic packaging includes plastic bottles and tubes as well as plastic-lined paper cartons and plastic-lined aluminum cans. Unlike traditional packaging materials such as paper and glass, these new materials can transfer harmful chemicals to the product they contain. This phenomenon is called “leaching”. (1, 2, 3)

The chemicals of concern to human health if leaching occurs are those used in the manufacturing process or composition of plastic packaging materials. While it has been proven that the risk of leaching increases with heat exposure during storage and distribution (a common occurrence with non-perishable consumer products), there is currently no evidence that plastics are safe to use as long as they are not exposed to heat. (4)

When chemicals leach from packaging materials they affect the entire chemical makeup of the product, as they do not remain isolated from other ingredients. This can create a toxic chemicals soup with unfathomable consequences. This new combination of ingredients and chemicals which have leached from the packaging is then consumed through regular use of food, beverages, and personal care products (such as deodorant, makeup, body lotion, body soap, and hair care and styling products) either actively through the act of eating or drinking or passively through absorption via the skin and scalp.

There are currently no limitations put on manufacturers as to what kind of plastics can be used for different kinds of products. For example, limiting the use of plastic packaging for non-perishable foods, beverages, and personal care items to virgin plastics that are resistant to leaching at high temperatures would be a great place to start. However, restrictions like these (although better than nothing) are still not enough to eliminate risk. Until there are plastics that do not present risk of leaching under any conditions, plastics should not be used as packaging materials for food, beverages, or personal care products.

The chemicals used in the processing and composition of plastic packaging materials include endocrine-disrupting combinations of toxicants such as phthalates, bisphenol-A and it’s alternatives, PFAS chemicals, benzene, and several other petrochemical-based plasticizers. These chemicals consumed at low dose repeated exposures (due to their ubiquitous nature in modern society) can have a profound impact on reproductive and neurological health and the function of the immune system. (5, 6)

The impact of these chemicals is not limited to the user of the products that have been contaminated by them. Through epigenetic expression, the changes these chemicals make to the body can be passed on for generations to come. Even the children of their children can be implicated, regardless of whether or not the second generation was exposed themselves. (7)

Packaging materials are not currently tested or reviewed for safety by the FDA before going to market.  Due to the harmful nature of chemicals used in many new packaging materials and their ability to influence human well-being with regular use due to leaching, we urge the FDA to create restrictions and regulatory processes that would protect humans from toxic exposures before they go to market.

Please sign this petition to help motivate the FDA to create restrictions on chemicals used in packaging materials that can leach into food, beverages, and personal care products. Thank you so much.

*This includes components of plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC, acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene, and epoxy and also plastic materials such as polyester. (8)

Sources

(1) Plastics, the environment and human health: current consensus and future trends

(2) Public health impact of plastics: An overview

(3) Most Plastic Products Release Estrogenic Chemicals: A Potential Health Problem That Can Be Solved

(4) Effects of storage temperature and duration on release of antimony and bisphenol A from polyethylene terephthalate drinking water bottles of China

(5) A Detailed Review Study on Potential Effects of Microplastics and Additives of Concern on Human Health

(6) Phthalates and other additives in plastics: human exposure and associated health outcomes

(7) Epigenetics and environmental chemicals

(8) Comparative acute toxicity of leachates from plastic products made of polypropylene, polyethylene, PVC, acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene, and epoxy to Daphnia magna