Scientists have issued a warning as new research revealed that we could be regularly ingesting cancer-causing chemicals when we eat. Research, published in the journal Frontiers in Toxicology, showed that almost 200 potential carcinogens are present in food packaging, processing equipment and cookware.
More specifically, the team from Switzerland, discovered that these carcinogens could cause breast cancer, one of the most common forms of the disease worldwide.
As part of the research they compared a list of 921 chemicals identified as potential breast carcinogens with a database of substances known to leach from food contact materials.
Overall, 189 of these chemicals have been detected in food packaging and related materials.
And when focusing on recent studies from 2020 to 2022, the team determined that 76 of these chemicals were actively moving from food contact materials under realistic conditions – meaning these potentially harmful substances are likely to leach into the food we eat every day.
But the chemicals weren’t limited to just one type of packaging. They were found in plastics, paper and cardboard, metals, and multi-material packaging.
However, plastic items were most likely to be affected, as 76 percent of the identified chemicals were detected in plastic food contact items.
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As reported by Study Finds, some of the chemicals found are known to cause mammary tumours in rodents, while others are suspected carcinogens.
These include benzene, styrene, and several aromatic amines, all which have been linked to cancer in numerous studies.
Perhaps even more concerning was the fact that the chemicals were located in food packaging around the globe, with the US, Canada, China, India and Europe – including the UK – affected.
As a result of the findings, the team are calling for stricter food packaging regulations.
In a media release, Jane Muncke, managing director of the Food Packaging Forum and study co-author, said: “This study is important because it shows that there is a huge opportunity for prevention of human exposure to breast cancer-causing chemicals. The potential for cancer prevention by reducing hazardous chemicals in your daily life is underexplored and deserves much more attention.”