In an article published on September 11, 2018, by news provider Vox, correspondent Julia Belluz and intern Radhika Viswanathan discuss the health concerns regarding plastic food containers and the chemicals, for example phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7), that migrate from them into food.

“[T]here’s mounting scientific evidence that these plastics are harming our health, from as early as our time in our mother’s womb,” the authors write. They go on to summarize findings from experimental animal and epidemiological human studies that provide evidence on adverse health effects resulting from exposure to chemicals found in plastic packaging.

“Right now, it’s up to consumers to manage their exposures to the chemicals in plastics because of a surprising lack of regulatory oversight over the plastic packaging industry,” Belluz and Viswanathan state, referring to the regulatory system in the U.S.. They explain how the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) rule allows “potentially harmful chemicals . . . [to] be used in food packaging.”

Lastly, Belluz and Viswanathan present a list with recommendations on how to limit exposure to chemicals migrating from plastics into food. “But even if you do all these things, it’s impossible to totally avoid these common chemicals,” they highlight. “Still, any effort to reduce your exposure is probably worth it,” the authors conclude.

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Julia Belluz and Radhika Viswanathan (September 11, 2018). “The problem with all the plastic that’s leaching into your food.Vox

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