Researchers have identified nearly 200 chemicals used to make food packaging that could possibly increase the risk of breast cancer . Found in plastics and paper , some of the potential mammary carcinogens include polysterene and polyamide, which are used in styrofoam to-go containers from restaurants and black plastic spatulas. “If there’s one change you’re going to make: stop using polysterene .
Get rid of it,” Jane Muncke, study co-author and the managing director of the Switzerland-based Food Packaging Forum, told The Independent on Monday. The analysis, published in the journal Frontiers in Toxicology , builds upon research published earlier this year, which identified more than 900 chemicals as being potential mammory carcinogens. They ran that list against the forum’s own inventory of more than 14,000 food contact chemicals, finding an overlap of 189 chemicals.
“I understand it can be a little bit overwhelming. Because, basically it tells us there are known carcinogens in our food supply,” said Muncke. Of the 189 chemicals they identified , there is hard evidence than 76 are transferring into food from the packaging, and 68 chemicals have been detected in people.
But, the chemicals are not just transferred to food by its packaging. They can also spread using processing equipment, kitchenware, tableware, and electric tea kettles. To navigate around these risks, and reduce exposure, consumers should be aware of four things.
First, heat can increase the migr.