We all know that eating packaged and convenience foods increases your waistline and also your cancer risk. But have you ever thought of the ingredients that go into the packaging?
Fluorinated Chemicals Study
Research is discovering that toxins in fast food paper and plastic (called FCMs, or food contact materials) may be leaching into food, ultimately ending up inside your body.
A 2017 joint research project [1] by Notre Dame University, the University of California and the Silent Spring Institute analyzed more than 400 food packaging samples from close to 30 fast food locations in the United States. The study investigators were specifically looking for evidence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (also known as PFAS). These are highly-toxic additives that make up paperboard, plastic and beverage containers. Manufacturers like to add these substances to their packaging because they are nonstick, waterproof and stain-resistant. These substances are also found in new carpets and nonstick cookware [2].
High Levels of PFAS Detected in Wrappers
Of all the samples, the Notre Dame researchers discovered that grease-resistant paper products used to wrap baked goods had the highest amount of PFAS. Approximately 56% of all bread and desert wrappers they analyzed had high amounts of fluorine. Sandwich and burger containers came in second with 38% containing noticeable amounts of fluorine. Paperboard products, such as French fry containers, came in third with about 20% containing high levels of PFAS.
According to the researchers, “The prevalence of fluorinated chemicals in fast food packaging demonstrates their potentially significant contribution to dietary PFAS exposure.”
Indeed, fluorinated chemical toxicity can lead to a laundry list of symptoms [3], including thyroid disease [4], infertility and inflammation in general. It is also linked to developmental issues in children [5].
Formaldehyde and BPA in Food Packaging
As if the evidence for PFASs isn’t enough, other research has found concerning amounts of other toxic substances in fast food containers and plastic ware. An article [6] published in the British Medical Journal by the Carnegie-Mellon Institute questioned the presence of both formaldehyde and bisphenol A (BPA) in the plastic ware and soft drink containers people are exposed to every day.
There is no question that formaldehyde can lead to cancer. The World Health Organization classifies it as a “Group 1 Carcinogen [7]:” known to cause cancer in humans. As for BPA, you probably already know enough about this endocrine-disrupting toxin to stay away from it for good, especially if you are on a heathy breast journey [8]. Other endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in processed food containers include phthalates [9], triclosan [10] and tributyltin.
“Voluntary” Regulation Doesn’t Work
Want to know the most shocking thing about this? Currently all the above cancer-causing substances can legally be added to food containers and plastic ware in the United States!
There are currently more than 4,000 potentially-harmful chemicals that food companies can add to their packaging, even though many of these have not been tested for harm and research shows that toxins from packaging can leak into food.
What’s more, right now proper regulation does not exist for even the most harmful of all of these substances. The deadliest of the fluorosurfactant [11]chemicals is PFOA, or puorooctanoic acid. It is also known as C8 or “long chain PFA.”
You may have heard about the dangers of PFOA/C8 [12] to the immune system, the brain and the endocrine system after a PFOA contamination suit and settlement [13] with the DuPont company in West Virginia made headlines in 2011. Following the lawsuit, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration launched an in-depth study [14] and many companies said they would stop using C8 in their products.
Unfortunately, profit and convenience seem to be the bottom line when it comes to the packaged food industry. Many of these same companies still use PFOAs [15] and other harmful chemicals in their packaging today. Others switched over to non-PFOA chemicals that have proven to be just as much of a health risk.
Stay Away from Prepackaged Food and Take Control of Your Health
In my opinion, there is only one solution to this potentially deadly problem. Don’t rely on manufacturers or the government to provide you with safe containers for pre-packaged food. Take control of your own health destiny by staying away from these products altogether.
Prepare your own organic, hormone and toxin-free food at home. If you have to take it to go, be sure to use glass containers and paper bags that are non-toxic, good for you and good for the environment. The best way to deal with the dangers of fast food packaging is to simply stay away from them altogether. Period!
Dr. Veronique Desaulniers (“Dr V”) is the founder of Breast Cancer Conqueror.com and The 7 Essentials System ™. This step-by-step guide empowers you with knowledge so you Never Have to Fear Breast Cancer Again! To watch a FREE webinar about the 7 steps for beating breast cancer naturally, Click Here [16].