Consumers Beware, Dangerous Chemicals from Packaging can sometimes Leach into Food Products

EMSL Analytical provides testing solutions to both consumers and manufacturers.

Westmont, NJ, July 29th, 2009

In June of this year the Environmental Working Group (EWG) sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) commissioner, Dr. Margaret Hamburg, warning that dangerous chemicals are finding their way into our foods through plastics. The EWG has stated that the use of plastic pallets containing decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca) to ship, cool and store fruits and vegetables should be halted on safety grounds.

Dr. Elizabeth Sanchez from the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition responded that Deca is not an authorized component of plastic pallets used for food processing. Also in a study that recently appeared in the journal Science of the Total Environment it was reported that at least 50 chemicals that are capable of interfering with human hormones are currently permitted in packaging in the United States and European Union.

These latest findings come on the heels of public concern over bisphenol A (BPA) which is used in plastics, including drinking containers, as well as a liner in many canned food products. The chemical is a known endocrine disruptor and low amounts may mimic a person’s own hormones. Media reports in 2008 regarding BPA caused several states to already ban the use of the chemical in food packaging.

“As the public has grown more aware of the potential for chemicals to leach into their foods from containers we have seen an increase in calls to our laboratory for testing from both consumers and food manufacturers,” stated Joe Frasca, Executive Vice President for EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The consumer products testing that EMSL’s state-of-the-art laboratory provides can quickly and effectively answer people’s questions and safety concerns.”

To learn more about consumer product testing or other testing services contact EMSL Analytical at (800) 220-3675 or visit www.ConsumerProductsTesting.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a leading, national provider of environmental, consumer products and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

To learn more about EMSL Analytical please visit:
www.EMSL.com or www.LATesting.com, contact EMSL at (800)220-3675 or info@EMSL.com.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail