Uncovering the Hidden Chemicals in Our Food: A Comprehensive Biomonitoring Database Reveals Alarming Exposures

Researchers from the Food Packaging Forum have compiled a groundbreaking database that sheds light on the widespread presence of food contact chemicals (FCCs) in human bodies. This comprehensive review of biomonitoring science has uncovered a startling reality: over 1,800 FCCs are known to migrate from the materials used to store, process, package, and serve our food, exposing us to a vast array of potentially hazardous substances.

Uncovering the Hidden Risks in Our Food Packaging

Exposing the Tip of the Iceberg

Historically, human exposure assessment for FCCs has focused on a few well-known chemicals of concern, such as bisphenols, PFAS, phthalates, mineral oil hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. However, this narrow approach has overlooked the vast majority of FCCs, as thousands of these chemicals are intentionally added during the manufacture of food contact materials (FCMs), and even more may be present in the final products.

Bridging the Knowledge Gap

To address this critical gap in understanding, the researchers created the Database on Food Contact Chemicals Monitored in Humans (FCChumon). This comprehensive database compiles information on FCCs that have been detected in human biomonitoring studies and metabolome/exposome databases, providing a crucial resource for policymakers, public health researchers, and the food industry.

Uncovering the Extent of Exposure

The researchers conducted a systematic review of available biomonitoring science, identifying a total of 3,601 FCCs. Remarkably, they found evidence of the presence of 25% of these chemicals in human samples, including 194 FCCs from biomonitoring programs and 3,528 from metabolome/exposome databases. This alarming discovery highlights the widespread exposure to these substances, many of which have known hazardous properties or lack sufficient toxicity data.

Filling the Data Gaps

For the 175 FCCs found in FCMs but not in the biomonitoring or metabolome/exposome databases, the researchers conducted a secondary literature search and found evidence of the presence of 63 of these chemicals in humans, 59 of which lack hazard data. This underscores the urgent need for further research and regulation to address the potential risks posed by these understudied substances.

Empowering Informed Decision-Making

The newly created FCChumon dashboard provides a user-friendly, interactive platform that links the biomonitoring and migration data, enabling policymakers, public health researchers, and food industry decision-makers to access this critical information. By leveraging this comprehensive database, stakeholders can work towards improving the safety of FCMs and reducing human exposure to hazardous FCCs.

A Call for Comprehensive Chemical Regulation

The findings of this groundbreaking research highlight the pressing need for a more holistic and proactive approach to chemical regulation in the food industry. The sheer number of FCCs detected in human samples, many of which have unknown or concerning hazard properties, underscores the importance of implementing robust safety standards and comprehensive exposure assessments. Only by addressing this systemic issue can we ensure the safety of our food supply and protect public health.