Over 400,000 tons of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic is used annually in European packaging, with 185,000 tons in food contact applications according to a new report by Zero Waste Europe (ZWE). On July 2, 2024, the civil society organization published a briefing on PVC in food packaging highlighting the extensive use of chemical additives necessary to achieve desired properties, including phthalates and other plasticizers. They summarize key scientific evidence supporting the health risk claims such as endocrine disruption (FPF reported and here).
The briefing aligns with recent research demonstrating that PVC-containing food packaging releases the greatest number of chemical additives of all plastic types and that these chemical mixtures have metabolism and endocrine disrupting effects (FPF reported also here).
Additionally, ZWE emphasizes the increasingly common presence of microplastics, including PVC particles, in human tissues. PVC’s propensity to fragment and its high additive content make it particularly concerning, ZWE says. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has also identified the need to reduce PVC microparticle releases “to minimize PVC-specific risks such as: 1) higher anticipated additive releases from PVC, and 2) higher co-exposure from additives through PVC microplastics,” the briefing reads.
The authors call for the substitution of PVC in food packaging with safer alternatives, noting that while some manufacturers are moving away from hazardous additives, the new substitutes still require thorough investigation. ZWE underscores the urgent need for legislative action to mitigate human exposure to harmful chemicals in food contact materials and advocates for a transition away from PVC to protect public health and the environment.
The briefing follows a report from June 13, 2024, published by an alliance of European civil society organizations, named “PVC: Problem very clear”, discussing the environmental and health threats posed by PVC.
Some EU lawmakers have been concerned about PVC for many years now, and the European Commission tasked ECHA with investigating PVC and its additives (FPF reported). ECHA’s 2023 report found significant risks associated with PVC and recommended regulatory actions, including potential restrictions under the REACH regulation.
Leading civil society organizations have started a petition to urge the European Commission to “develop ambitious phase out strategies for the harmful plastic.”
References
Zero Waste Europe (July 2, 2024) “Bye bye to PVC in food packaging – once and for all.”
Break free from plastic (June 13, 2024) “PVC: Problem very clear – Why the ECHA report supports phasing out PVC as the most effective and future-proof management measure.”
ECHA (November 22, 2023) “Investigation report on PVC and PVC additives.”
