Harmful Chemicals Found in Pizza Boxes
New research has revealed harmful bisphenols in pizza takeout boxes. In many cases, the bisphenols were found to migrate into pizzas.
The German consumer protection group ÖKO-TEST bought ten pizza boxes, half from well-known pizza delivery services or restaurant chains, and half from online or wholesale retailers. They tested the boxes for bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS), and found almost all were contaminated with both chemicals.
BPA and BPS are classified as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs are chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormonal system, which regulates functions such as metabolism, growth and reproductive development. Exposure to BPA has been linked to various health impacts such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and hormonal cancers such as breast and prostate.
ÖKO-TEST also investigated whether the bisphenols could migrate from the boxes into pizzas via a simulated test in the lab. They found that of the nine boxes containing BPA, the chemical migrated into pizza in four instances. Of the boxes contaminated with BPS, the chemical migrated in all eight instances.
The largest amount of BPA detected in a pizza was 450 times over the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA’s) tolerable daily intake (TDI). A TDI is an estimate of the amount of a substance a person can consume daily over their lifetime without it posing a risk to their health.
ÖKO-TEST said that bisphenols aren’t intentionally added to pizza boxes but can end up in them if the boxes are made using recycled paper contaminated with these chemicals.
In December 2024, the European Commission adopted a restriction on the use of BPA and other hazardous bisphenols in food contact materials. However, this restriction applies to products where bisphenols are intentionally added and so does not specifically apply to recycled paper products.
ÖKO-TEST is calling for stronger regulations on the use of bisphenols in paper products.
CHEM Trust is calling for a speedy revision of the food contact materials legislation to prevent harmful chemicals from entering into food packaging, including paper, which is not covered by the current EU bisphenols ban.
