New test results published last week by the Swedish Chemicals Agency revealed worrying levels of hazardous chemicals present in food packaging products: the results showed that over 80% of products tested contained DEHP, a known hormone disrupting chemical.

Read more about the test results.

DEHP is listed on the EU’s Authorisation List, together with many of the most hazardous industrial chemicals known. Its use in products such as toys and childcare articles is completely banned, with no exceptions. However, there is currently no legislation forbidding its use in food packaging. Since 2014 CHEM Trust has been calling for the reform of the outdated regulations on food contact materials (FCM) in order to protect humans, wildlife, and the environment from hazardous chemicals such as phthalates.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals that are often used as additives to make plastics more pliable. Several phthalates have been proven to be harmful to human reproductive health, and exposure to phthalates has been linked to impaired fertility in men.

The EU’s current laws on food contact materials (FCM) are outdated, and ineffective in protecting people and the environment from harmful chemicals like phthalates in food packaging.

However, progress is being made. As part of the European Green Deal, the EU Commission has finally committed to ban the most hazardous chemicals from consumer products including FCM and to revise the FCM legislation. As a first step, a public consultation has been launched to allow the public to give feedback on the Commission’s initial plans. The deadline to respond is Friday, 29^th January.

Read the call to action.

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