A Crash Course in Food Contact Materials and Health
Are you new to the field and looking for a clear introduction to the latest science of food contact materials and health? On this page, we brought together an overview of all the basics in short videos and training modules. While our website still has many more in-depth resources to explore, this page is a great place to start.
What are the Basics on Food Packaging and Chemicals?
This webinar featuring an overview presentation by the Food Packaging Forum’s Jane Muncke provides an excellent single-stop introduction to the field of food contact materials (FCMs). In explains the concept of chemical migration, the universe of chemicals that can be present in FCMs, current legislation that regulates the presence of these chemicals, and ongoing scientific discussions and initiatives within the field to improve FCM safety.
Food packaging is safe, right?
In this video, Jane explains why food packaging cannot be considered “safe” in the sense of not containing hazardous chemicals. She introduces the fundamentals of chemical migration, toxicity of hazardous chemicals, low dose exposures, and chemical mixtures. The episode also discusses current gaps in the EU regulations on food contact materials (FCMs) and articles (FCAs).
- Muncke J et al. (2020). “Impacts of food contact chemicals on human health: a consensus statement.” Environmental Health
Are low levels of chemicals in food packaging safe?
Jane discusses how chemicals are defined as ‘safe’ through chemical risk assessments, including the concepts of hazard and exposure. She presents why low levels of chemicals present in food packaging may not mean that they are safe levels. This includes an understanding of (i) non-monotonic dose responses where effects from a chemical are seen at lower but not at higher concentrations, (ii) mixtures of chemicals migrating together from food packaging, and (iii) the timing of exposure to a chemical (such as on pre-natal or early life phases) that can be critical, even at low concentrations.
- Costa, S.A., Vilela, S., Correia, D., Severo, M., Lopes, C. and Torres, D. (2020). “Consumption of packaged foods by the Portuguese population: type of materials and its associated factors.” British Food Journal
- EU legal definition of safety: “Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 October 2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food and repealing.”
- Non-monotonic dose-response: vom Saal et al. (1997). “Prostate enlargement in mice due to fetal exposure to low doses of estradiol or diethylstilbestrol and opposite effects at high doses.” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA
- Health and Environment Alliance (March 2019). “Low doses matter.“
- Food Packaging Forum (November 2020). “Food Contact Chemicals Database and list of priority substances.”
- European Parliament (January 2019). “Endocrine Disruptors: From Scientific Evidence to Human Health Protection.”
- Mixture toxicity: Silva, E et al. (2002). “Something from “Nothing” − Eight Weak Estrogenic Chemicals Combined at Concentrations below NOECs Produce Significant Mixture Effects.” Environmental Science & Technology
- Tanner, E. et al. (2019). “Early prenatal exposure to suspected endocrine disruptor mixtures is associated with lower IQ at age seven.” Environmental International
All chemicals that could transfer from packaging into food are well known, right?
Jane discusses what types of chemicals can be present in food packaging, including the unknown “non-intentionally added substances” (NIAS) and the challenges they pose to ensuring chemical safety, recycling, and enabling a circular economy. Of the more than 8,000 chemicals known to be used to make food packaging and other food contact articles, she reviews published data describing the very small number of them that are actually being regularly and systemically checked and enforced in food packaging available on the market. She also discusses the (i) challenges posed by chemical additives present in biodegradable packaging intended for composting, (ii) ongoing revision of food contact material regulations in the EU, and (iii) how prioritizing removal of the most hazardous chemicals can be a first step for moving forward.
- Food Packaging Forum (2020). List of priority food contact chemicals and Food Contact Chemicals database (FCCdb).
- McCombie, G. (2018). “Enforcement’s Perspective.” Presentation during EU food contact material stakeholder event.
- Food Packaging Forum (2018). Non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) and dossier.
- Food Packaging Forum (2018). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and dossier.
- Food Packaging Forum (2021). “Brand and Retailer Initiatives Database.“
- European Union (2020). “Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability.”
- Food Packaging Forum news (2021). “PFAS detected in European disposable food packaging“
Reduce, reuse, recycle - when it comes to dealing with food packaging waste, it's that simple, right?
Jane explores the functions of food packaging. Why is the evolution of human culture closely linked to food packaging functionalities? And what is the role of food packaging in enabling food industry and retail business models? What types of environmental impacts of food packaging should be considered when comparing options? And: Why is recycling not a silver-bullet solution when it comes to addressing the waste from food packaging?
- Food Packaging Forum (2018). Food packaging in the circular economy
- Geueke, B., Groh, K and J. Muncke (2018). “Food packaging in the circular economy: Overview of chemical safety aspects for commonly used materials.” Journal of Cleaner Production 193:491-505.
- Food Packaging Forum (2021). Food Packaging and Recycling Fact Sheets
- SUM’D (2021). Understanding Packaging Scorecard
- Food Packaging Forum (2021). UN Food Systems Summit: FPF letter to the Scientific Committee
- Food Packging Forum (2021). “Studies investigate circular economy barriers, consumer perceptions.”
- Muncke J et al. (2020). “Impacts of food contact chemicals on human health: a consensus statement.” Environmental Health
What about recycled materials? Are some inherently safer?
We developed a training module within the FitNESS 2.0 Project introducing the known universe of the thousands of different chemicals that can be present in food contact materials. The chemical diversity and migration potential of different food contact materials are explored, including the distinction between permanent and non-permanent materials as well as the chemical complexities and limitations associated with “bio-based” or “biodegradable” materials. The training module equips readers to navigate scientific and policy discussions surrounding the chemical safety of food contact materials, especially concerning reuse and recycling.
What about recycled materials? Are some inherently safer?
Go to our resources page to explore our many introductory fact sheets and background articles. As you will discover, we also write weekly news articles summarizing the latest science and policy, publish peer-reviewed scientific articles on key topics, and maintain helpful databases and tools you can use. All completely for free!
