“Not ‘lovin’ it’”: US study finds toxic chemicals rife in fast food packaging

10 Aug 2020 --- A new report has warned that nearly half of all take-out food packaging tested across major US food chains contains potentially toxic chemicals. The Mind the Store campaign and Toxic-Free Future nonprofit combined forces to investigate the presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) – chemicals known to threaten human health – in Burger King, McDonald’s, and Wendy’s as well as top health-minded food chains Cava, Freshii, and Sweetgreen. The investigation showed that all six food chains sampled had one or more food packaging items that “likely contain” toxic PFAS.

The study – “Packaged in Pollution: Are food chains using PFAS in packaging?” – identified PFAS treatment in McDonald’s “Big Mac” container, Burger King’s “Whopper” wrapper and all of the health-conscious chains’ salad bowls.

“We don’t know why companies would continue to use dangerous PFAS chemicals when safer alternatives are available,” Laurie Valeriano, Executive Director at Toxic-Free Future tells PackagingInsights. “This is a growing problem, particularly since we know these chemicals can harm the immune system. Large chains like McDonald’s and Burger King should act swiftly to end their use of PFAS and protect their customers from these dangerous chemicals.”

Four out of the six food chains studied do not have a public chemical policy to address toxic PFAS in their food packaging materials. In response to the study, Cava announced it would eliminate PFAS from its food packaging by mid-2021. Sweetgreen also recently announced that it is phasing out PFAS from its bowls by the end of 2020 and has already introduced PFAS-free bowls in one market. Other major retailers and restaurants that have committed to moving away from PFAS include Chipotle, Panera Bread, Taco Bell, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods Market.

The investigation showed that all food chains sampled had one or more food packaging items that “likely contain” PFAS (Photo credit: Mind the Store/Toxic-Free Future).Testing found that items in two packaging categories – paper bags used for greasy foods and molded fiber bowls and trays – most frequently tested above the fluorine screening level, suggesting toxic PFAS treatment. Paper bags sampled included a French fry bag from McDonald’s, a chicken nuggets bag from Burger King, and cookie bags from all three burger chains.

However, a packaging material category found to be free of PFAS was paperboard containers, specifically, the cartons and clamshells used for fried foods and desserts at burger chains. All of these sampled paperboard items tested below the fluorine screening level, suggesting that they are PFAS-free.

PFAS increases COVID-19 vulnerability
Scientists have found links between exposure to PFAS and a wide range of health problems. “These toxic chemicals are linked to serious health problems like cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility, and asthma,” explains Dr. Linda S. Birnbaum, Scholar in Residence at Duke University, Scientist Emeritus and Former Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and National Toxicology Program (NTP). “PFAS can weaken our immune system, making us more vulnerable to infectious diseases like COVID-19.”

A consortium of scientists recently published a scientific statement emphasizing the dangerous health impacts of PFAS and other toxic chemicals in food packaging, noting how easily these chemicals migrate out of packaging. “PFAS chemicals don’t ever break down. They permanently remain in the environment and easily move into people, persisting in our bodies,” adds Dr. Birnbaum.

The investigation commissioned an independent laboratory to measure total fluorine in 38 food packaging samples from 16 locations across six chains. Nine out of the 38 samples were replicates, resulting in 29 unique sample items for analysis. Samples were collected at food chains in and around New York City, Seattle, WA, and Washington, DC, in January 2020 and were analyzed in February 2020.Evidence shows that PFAS can make their way back to people through drinking water, food, and air (Photo credit: Mind the Store/Toxic-Free Future).

“Forever chemicals”
The study found that 14 food packaging items tested above the fluorine screening level. Testing for total fluorine is a common way to assess the use of toxic PFAS chemicals. At least one food packaging item from each of the six food chains studied tested above the fluorine screening level, suggesting the presence of PFAS chemicals.

“Whether the chains are serving burgers, fries, or salad, they owe it to their customers to serve it up in safe packaging,” explains Erika Schreder, Science Director at Toxic-Free Future and co-author of the study. “We found many instances of packaging that’s PFAS-free – there’s no reason for these chains to choose any food packaging that contains PFAS. Food chains like McDonald’s shouldn’t be using this toxic packaging.”

“There are PFAS-free solutions,” echoes Valeriano. “To help companies identify solutions, we have published two new guidance documents, providing recommendations for grocery chains and quick service restaurants.”

PFAS are chemicals used to impart stain, grease, and water resistance to food packaging, carpeting, upholstery, and apparel. The chemicals are also used in firefighting foam, ski wax, and industrial applications. Toxic exposures continue even after the packaging is disposed of and evidence shows that these chemicals can make their way back to people through drinking water, food, and air.

Food crops and gardens can become polluted with PFAS-containing compost, as shown from research demonstrating plants taking up PFAS from soil. Scientists often refer to PFAS as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in the environment.

“These toxic chemicals continue to contaminate people and pollute the environment long after the disposable packaging is discarded. And there’s really no need for it,” says Mike Schade, Mind the Store Campaign Director.

Regulatory inaction
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prohibited the use of only a small number of chemicals within the PFAS class in food packaging. It recently announced that manufacturers have agreed to phase out use of another subset of PFAS. However, FDA continues to allow the use of many PFAS.The study identified PFAS treatment in all of the health-conscious chains’ salad bowls.

Mounting evidence on the dangers of PFAS exposure has led to the passage of restrictions on PFAS in food packaging over the last few years in San Francisco and Berkeley and in states including Washington and Maine. In July 2020, the New York Legislature approved a bill to ban PFAS in food packaging, which now awaits the governor’s signature. In Europe, Denmark enacted a ban on PFAS in cardboard and paper food packaging that went into force on July 1, 2020.

“FDA should ban the entire class of PFAS in food packaging, which is what states like NY, WA and Maine are doing. [Also] more states and Congress should aggressively move forward to ban all PFAS in food packaging,” adds Valeriano.

Without national regulation of PFAS, accelerated action from food retailers in addressing PFAS in food packaging is necessary to reduce exposures to people and the environment. “Multiple major food chains have now announced new policies on PFAS. So, clearly, safer alternatives exist and are being used. Those that haven’t stepped up have the ability to do so,” Schade explains.

“As the largest fast-food chain in the world, McDonald’s has a responsibility to its customers to keep them safe. These dangerous chemicals don’t belong in its food packaging. I, for one, am Not ‘lovin’ it,’” he affirms.

Last week, the Mind the Store campaign and its partners launched a petition to McDonald’s, urging them to take action by committing to the elimination of PFAS in its food-packaging materials.

By Joshua Poole