Study tests 705 samples, finds plastic chemicals in majority of food products
Jan 27, 2025, 9:49 PM
One study detected plastic chemicals in a wide variety of food products. (Canva)
(Canva)
SALT LAKE CITY — A recent report by PlasticList tested hundreds of food products for plastic chemicals. It found that 86% of the products tested contained them.
The Endocrine Society said plastic chemicals have been linked to cancer and diabetes, among other health issues.
This isn’t the first time plastic and plastic chemicals have been detected in food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said several studies have detected micro and nanoplastics in a variety of foods.
PlasticList’s test for plastic chemicals
PlasticList explained that they compiled a list of foods that are commonly consumed in California’s San Francisco Bay area. They drew suggestions from a survey and suggestions via a post on X.
According to the report, PlasticList collected 775 samples of 312 food products of different varieties. They sent them to an accredited lab, which was able to test 705 of them, representing 296 products.
Each sample was evaluated for 18 chemicals, all of which are used to boost the performance of the packaging product. They were divided into three categories:
- Phthalates
- Phthalate substitutes
- Bisphenols
PlasticList said they were not tested for microplastics, but rather “plastic-related chemicals at molecular scale.”
“We focused on EDCs instead of microplastics because the body of evidence for the harms of EDCs is larger than for microplastics; microplastics themselves can contain EDCs which leach into your body, and so EDCs can be downstream of microplastics,” explained the report.
A list of the compounds they tested for can be found within the report.
Even ‘healthy’ grocery products contained chemicals
PlasticList said the chemicals weren’t only detected in foods considered to be less healthy, such as ice cream or Coca-Cola products. They were also found in “practically all” of the healthier products they tested.
“We tested raw milk and beef straight from the farm, 22 organic foods, and 20 healthy groceries from Whole Foods. Apart from O Organics eggs, all of those products contained plastic chemicals,” read the report.
Similar research
Consumer Reports conducted a similar study in early 2024, testing 67 grocery store foods and 18 fast foods for 10 chemicals.
Some of the products that CR tested weren’t even packaged in plastic, but rather in cans or cardboard boxes. They entered the products somewhere along the way, for example, through air or water sources, plants and animals, or manufacturing.
CR said concerns have prompted regulators to work on cutting back the amount of chemicals in products. However, they haven’t made significant regulations on food yet.
One scientist told CR that plastics shouldn’t be allowed near food.
What can I do?
Although their commonality makes it difficult to avoid plastics and plastic chemicals altogether, CR said there are things you can do to decrease your consumption.
For example, try to use metal or glass water bottles and containers whenever you can. If you have to use plastic containers, CR discourages heating them, as it can increase chemical leaching.
Additionally, opt for minimally processed foods, as they have less of an opportunity to become contaminated.
Read the full Consumer Reports article for more ways to reduce your exposure to plastic chemicals.
CNN recommended checking the recycling markings on your plastic. If it has a number 3, 6, or 7, do your best to avoid it, as the numbers are related to chemicals linked to health problems.
Finally, if you do need to use a single-use container, such as a water bottle, recycle it when you’re done. CNN’s report said that single-use plastics are not meant to last as long as their stronger counterparts. Therefore, they break down faster, increasing chemical contamination.
There is also a risk of bacteria growth if the container is not thoroughly cleaned.
Related: Why and how to reduce single-use plastic consumption in your life
