Fast-food packages: containing potentially harmful substances to our health

Medical Adina Camarasu
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The waterproof packaging we are using for pizza, hamburgers and other fast foods was discovered to contain potentially harmful fluorinated substances.

The research that was conducted on human subjects suggested that perfluoroalkyl substances used for creating waterproof paper and food packaging are associated with certain disorders in children.

Also, the chemical compound can trigger decreased fertility and increased risk of cancer and thyroid problems, according to the Agency for toxic substances and disease registry of the United States.

Previous studies have shown that these substances may be present in the food that comes with such packaging.

The new study, published in the American journal, tested more than 400 samples of packaging from 27 fast food chains in the US.

Almost half of the packaging paper and 20% of the cardboard boxes such as pizza and fries packages contain fluorine, used to impregnate materials for making them reject humidity.

The paper used in packaging of fast foods, desserts and bread contains the largest amount of fluoride, the study shows.

“These products have been associated with health problems, therefore it is worrying that many people are potentially exposed”, draws attention to Laurel Schaider, a chemist and the senior author of this paper.

”Children are most at risk because their bodies are developing and are more vulnerable to chemicals”, explained the scientist.

Six of the samples studied contained perfluorooctanoic acid, despite the fact that several of the major manufacturers of packaging in the US announced they will stop using this substance because of the health risks it might trigger.

Since 2000, The United States began to reduce the use of some of these substances, such as GRP,  in the production of packaging.

But, other countries continue to use them for this purpose, even though researchers have emphasized that these chemicals can persist for a long time in our environment, doing even more damage.