It’s almost the end of 2025, and the holidays are fast approaching. For many of us, gift-giving, family visits and food preparation will soon take up most of our time. So, we’ve compiled some of CHEM Trust’s news stories from the past year with some top tips to reduce your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals this festive season!

Cooking Christmas dinner is no small feat, from accommodating different diets to optimising oven space. This year, we covered a number of studies about the presence of harmful chemicals in a range of food and drinks, including in wine, beer, cereal products, eggs, and pizza boxes. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals when buying, cooking, and storing food, including:

• When shopping, opt for loose fruit and vegetables, as some packaging used to wrap foods can contain harmful chemicals.
• Try to opt for organic food to reduce your risk of exposure to pesticides, which may contain harmful substances like PFAS, the ‘forever chemicals’.
• If you’re using a non-stick pan, try not to scratch or overheat the surface as they can contain PFAS. Stainless steel or ceramic pans are a good alternative.
• Avoid using black plastic cooking utensils, as they may contain toxic flame retardants from recycled electronic waste plastic.
• For storing or reheating leftovers, choose glass or stainless steel containers, as plastic containers can leach harmful chemicals into your food when heated.

If you’re preparing to host, you may also be interested in our story on a toxic-free spring clean for some of our top tips.

For many, giving gifts to loved ones is a key part of making Christmas magical. A range of studies this year identified harmful chemicals in various products, including shoes, clothing and other products from Temu and Shein, coats, smartwatch bands, and toiletries such as hair oils, micellar water, hand soap, and face creams. However, several of these studies also identified that safer alternatives are available. Check out our story on Black Friday for some tips on how you can lower your risk of exposure while on the lookout for deals.

The festive season is particularly exciting for children; however, they are also vulnerable to health impacts from exposure to harmful chemicals, as their organs and nervous systems are still developing. In October, patient organisations, healthcare professionals and scientists sent a letter to the UK Government highlighting concerns about the risks posed to children from harmful chemicals in toys, and calling for action. Here are some tips on avoiding harmful chemicals in children’s products and toys:

• Buy toys and other children’s products from reputable shops and online stores.
• Avoid toys that are heavily scented or that smell strongly of chemicals.
• Opt for solid-wood toys, and if painted, look for water-based, non-toxic paints made with natural dyes such as vegetable pigments.
• Avoid soft plastic toys, which may contain harmful chemicals like phthalates.
• When shopping for toiletries for children or adults, keep an eye out for products with eco labels, such as the EU Ecolabel.

While these tips can help reduce your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals, ultimately the responsibility to do so should not be on the individual. CHEM Trust will continue to support ongoing efforts to ensure protections from the most hazardous chemicals in 2026!

For more information on reducing your risk of exposure to harmful chemicals, see our webpage.

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