ultra-processed foods

Food processing equipment, from stainless steel pipes to polymer conveyor belts, makes prolonged, repetitive contact with food. Under the mechanical, thermal, and chemical stresses of modern production, chemical components of that equipment can migrate into the food product. These can include migrations of known hazardous chemicals and unknown or untested chemicals, at levels that may be of concern to public health or result in costly recalls. This background article reviews the main contamination pathways into food from processing equipment, the chemicals of concern they can contain, relevant regulatory frameworks, and emerging mitigation strategies.