Plastics In The Spotlight

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Plastic is not only harming the environment but is also endangering human health.

Plastics present in food packaging contain hazardous chemicals, including endocrine disrupting chemicals, which leak into our food, and make their way into our bodies. These chemicals can be, and must be avoided. We need decision-makers to take action on hazardous chemicals in the form of restrictions and new regulations for food contact materials (FCMs).

The Plastic in the Spotlight Project

This health research project looks to test urine samples for the presence of phthalates and bisphenols, chemicals commonly found in plastic packaging and that migrate to the food. The Plastic in the Spotlight Project is a follow up to the national level project initiated and carried out in Catalonia by ReZero from March to July 2019, to great success.

This year the project involves the following key partners, with the hope of spreading the message widely across Europe: Ekologi Brez Meja (Slovenia), Rezero (Spain), Za Zemiata (Bulgaria), ZERO (Portugal), Zero Waste Europe (Belgium) and Zero Waste Latvija (Latvia).

Project Findings

The Plastics in the Spotlight project tested 52 decision-makers, media personalities, public figures and artists across Europe for the presence of 28 hazardous chemicals. The aggregated results can be seen below. For further details on the project you can view our Press Release and Background Document. 

The project aims to:

• Elevate the health impacts of plastic packaging to the top of decision-makers priorities in order to secure the adoption of a new comprehensive legislative framework for food contact materials in the EU.
• Put pressure on retailers and producers to switch to safer, reusable alternatives to toxic single-use plastic packaging.
• Inform consumers and individuals on the health impacts of plastic packaging to encourage them to make the safest choices for their bodies (while we wait for legislative action).

Take Action

Help us get ambitious legislation on plastic food packaging chemicals by sharing the results of the project. You can use our social media pack to take action – and don’t forget to tag your parliamentary representatives! The more noise we can make, the better chance we have at protecting our health and the environment!

Project Participants

Learn more about toxic chemicals present in plastics

Plastic packaging includes a wide array of chemicals. Yet, many of the 12,000 chemicals used in the manufacture of food contact materials (FCMs) globally (over 8,000 in Europe) have not been adequately tested for toxicity. 

These intentionally added chemicals, as well as 30,000 to 100,000 non-intentionally added substances (NIAS), have the potential to migrate into food from various FCMs, in particular food packaging. 

Over 4,000 chemicals are potentially present in plastic packaging. Among those chemicals:

• 906 were identified as likely to be present in plastic packaging, and of those, 
• 68 chemicals were identified as being particularly hazardous for the environment and 
• 63 were identified as being particularly hazardous for human health. 
• Out of those 63 chemicals, 6 are notably classified as substances of very high concern (SVHC), under the EU chemical legislation REACH, based on their toxicity for reproduction and their endocrine disrupting properties.

Learn more about food packaging

Chemicals are commonly used in food packaging (both plastic and non-plastic) as additives to provide a number of characteristics, including flexibility (softeners and plasticizers), durability against heat or sunlight (stabilizers and antioxidants), colouring, or as fillers. 

Yet, not all food packaging is created equal, and some represent a higher source of exposure to chemicals than others. 

Materials such as glass, stainless steel and ceramic are known to be more inert (stable) materials, due to their chemical structure – meaning that they are less likely to allow chemical migration to food. Plastic, paper and cardboard are, on the contrary, non-inert materials: meaning that chemicals can more easily migrate directly from the material to the food (and many hazardous chemicals can be present in plastic and paper, as mentioned above). In addition, chemicals from outside the material (such as chemicals contained in inks on the outside surface of the packaging) can migrate through the material (plastic or paper) to the food, creating additional risk of exposure.

Learn more about the impacts to human health

PHTHALATES: The risks posed by (many) phthalates, notably due to their endocrine disrupting properties, have been repeatedly recognized, reviewed, and assessed by various authorities all over the world. Impacts on health include child development impairment, adult reproductive toxicity, insulin resistance, overweight and cancer. This group of over 30 chemicals are largely used as plasticizers and have notably been found in significant amounts in human urine samples. In Europe, 8 phthalates are subject to authorisation under EU chemical legislation REACH, and in July 2018, the European Commission proposed to restrict four phthalates in consumer articles. However, phthalates are still widely used in consumer products, including plastic films in many parts of the world, including Europe. 

BISPHENOLS: The most known and commonly used bisphenol is Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is used for the production of polycarbonate plastics (used in electronic kitchen appliances and water bottles) and for the lining of aluminium cans. Food consumption is the largest source of exposure to BPA. There is broad evidence that BPA may have adverse effects on reproduction, the nervous system, the immune system, and has been associated with cancer risks (e.g. breast cancer), as well as having implications for the metabolic and cardiovascular systems. The European Chemical Agency in 2017 listed BPA as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) because of its endocrine disrupting properties for humans. The EU has restricted the use of BPA for certain products (e.g. plastic baby bottles), but those restrictions are limited. 

PFAs (per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances): a group of over 4,000 chemicals, are widely present in food packaging, especially greaseproof paper food packaging such as those used in fast-foods and for microwave popcorn bags, as well as in other applications (e.g. non-stick pans, waterproof coats and cosmetics). These chemicals are persistent, bioaccumulative and mobile, and therefore are found in remote places and notably, in drinking water. The toxicity of many PFAs, including their effects on the reproductive, hormonal and immune systems, have been proven, yet only a few PFAs have been regulated so far. The EU is looking at developing a specific action plan for PFAs but concrete measures are still missing

Learn more about current policy

The EU framework regulation on Food Contact Materials (EC) 1935/2004, together with the EU Regulation on Good Manufacturing Practices for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food (EC) 2023/2006, set the overall EU rules on food contact materials. 

The current framework regulation is ineffective and inadequate. 

The European Parliament called on the European Commission to reform the current FCM framework in 2019 and 2020, after having already highlighted in 2016 that the lack of uniform (EU) measures on FCMs is detrimental to public health and the protection of the environment. This reform has also been long called for by NGOs and consumer organisations, amongst others. 

A reformed FCM legislation should be based on key principles to ensure a higher level of protection of human health across Europe while guaranteeing a toxic-free circular economy. 

It should:

• Increase transparency and traceability of chemicals in FCMs 
• Set stronger assessment of substances
• Ensure that the measures in place are applicable (not less stringent) as well as appropriate for recycled food contact materials and articles, and that no exemptions are granted for recycled materials so as to ensure the same level of protection for virgin and recycled materials
• Be fully consistent with other EU legislation such as REACH and prohibit the use of the most hazardous chemicals in FCMs, as well as being consistent with EU legislation related to products and waste. 

A reform of FCM legislation presents a great opportunity to strengthen EU rules on FCMs for the benefit of both human health and the environment.