Chemicals from Fast Food Wrappers Found in Humans

EMSL Analytical offers food packaging, labeling and safety testing services for manufacturers, processors, distributors and retailers to ensure foods are safe for human consumption.

Cinnaminson, NJ

This week the “Environmental News Service” released an article about new research that was conducted at the University of Toronto. According to the article, chemicals used in food packaging that are meant to keep grease from leaking through fast food wrappers are leaching into the food products.

The researchers identified chemical contaminants in human blood revealing that perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) can migrate from food packaging that has been treated with the chemicals. In a 2009 article in “ScienceDaily” another article discussed PFCs and a possible association with infertility in women. That article discussed other research that found that women with higher levels of the chemicals in their blood took longer to become pregnant.

PFCs are a group of manmade fluorine containing chemicals which when applied to materials makes them stain and stick resistant. They can be found in everything from popcorn bags and pizza boxes to the wrapper found on fast food hamburgers. PFCs are stable chemicals so they do not readily breakdown and may remain in the environment for long periods of time.

EMSL Analytical, one of the nation’s largest food testing laboratories, provides testing solutions for food packaging and food safety. EMSL’s Materials Testing Division has extensive expertise in testing all types of packaging. The laboratory’s Food & Consumer Products Testing Division provides testing solutions for everything from shelf life studies to the detection of food-borne pathogens and sanitation validations.

“The new research about perfluorinated chemicals leaching into food products from their packaging is something that people need to be aware of,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President at EMSL. “Scientists at EMSL Analytical have the expertise and state of the art equipment to test food packaging to ensure potentially harmful chemicals are not migrating into the foods we all eat.”

To learn more about food testing services please visit www.FoodTestingLab.com, www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com.

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental 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.

Contact Information

Joe Frasca

Senior Vice President, Marketing

EMSL Analytical, Inc.

Contact via E-mail