This week researchers lead by the Food Packaging Forum launched their free database of chemicals in food contact materials (FCM). This new database identifies over 12,200 distinct chemicals that could be used in manufacture of food contact materials and articles, many of which are known to have hormone (endocrine) disrupting properties. These chemicals can migrate into our food, and if harmful could impact on our health.

Some of the thousands of chemicals that can be found in FCM, or are used in their production, which are particularly concerning, including per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), bisphenols and phthalates.

Of the chemicals included in this new database, 29% lacked openly accessible toxicity data; 608 were identified as the most hazardous, which should be removed from food contact materials as soon as possible.

Since 2014 CHEM Trust has highlighted that the current EU laws regulating the chemicals used in food contact materials such as food packaging, cutlery, and factory equipment do not properly protect public health and the environment. Read more on our recently updated FCM webpage.

This database was created by Food Packaging Forum as part of their Food Contact Chemicals and Human Health (FCCH) Project. Read more about the project and access the new FCM chemicals database here.

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