A study by European environmental and health associations detected the use of perfluoroalkylated chemicals (PFAS) in food packaging used by fast-food restaurant chains in Europe.
The use of these chemical substances, which are harmful to health, is a very widespread practice, according to the results of the investigation published this Thursday, which registered that more than 70% of the samples analyzed showed an intentional treatment with PFAS.
"PFAS are widely used in food packaging and disposable tableware in Europe," said the study involving the Alliance for Health and the Environment and seven other European non-profit organizations dedicated to environmental and health issues.
The research analyzed packaging and packaging from restaurants such as McDonald's, KFC, Subway and Dunkin Donuts, as well as take-out establishments and supermarkets in six European countries (Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom).
The results revealed that 38 of the 99 samples (38%) collected in the establishments are suspected of having been treated with PFAS chemicals to achieve oil repellency.
In addition, 32 of the 42 samples selected for chemical analysis (76%) showed an intentional treatment with PFAS, although traces of these substances were also detected in all samples selected for laboratory analysis, even in those that were not intentionally treated.
In the conclusions of the study, they stressed that 99% of the organic fluorine present in the selected samples is not captured by the analysis of specific compounds in the laboratory, which means that it is impossible to identify with certainty the PFAS compounds present.
The lead author of the study and scientific advisor to the Czech NGO Arnika, Jitka Strakova, said that "it is time for the European Union to act and immediately and permanently ban all types of PFAS in food packaging to protect consumers. ”.
PFAS are also called "forever chemicals" because they are extremely persistent in nature, hardly breaking down, and polluting drinking water, soil, or air.
In addition, scientific studies have associated exposure to a number of PFASs with serious adverse health effects, such as cancer and impacts on the immune, reproductive and hormonal systems, as well as a decreased response to vaccines.
"We cannot accept those food containers that is discarded in a matter of minutes are treated with chemicals that persist and accumulate in the environment," stressed the head of health and chemicals from the Alliance for Health and the Environment, Natacha Cingotti.
In addition, the analysis found that in Denmark, where the use of chemicals in food packaging has been banned since July 2020, none of the McDonald's bags of potato chips purchased there had PFAS treatment.
However, intentional PFAS treatment was found in the same items purchased in the Czech Republic and the UK, demonstrating that legislation can protect people from exposure to harmful chemicals.
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