Nearly 200 chemicals associated with breast cancer are used in food packaging and plastic tableware, with many of these carcinogens capable of migrating into the human body, according to a recent study.
“There is strong evidence that 76 known or potential breast carcinogens from food contact materials recently purchased globally can be found in people,” stated study coauthor Jane Muncke, managing director and chief scientific officer at the Food Packaging Forum, a Zurich-based nonprofit focused on science communication and research.
“Eliminating these known or suspected carcinogens from our food supply presents a significant opportunity for cancer prevention,” Muncke added.
The study identified 40 of these chemicals as already classified as hazardous by regulatory agencies worldwide.
“Many of these chemicals are already recognized as human health hazards, yet they continue to be permitted in food contact materials, allowing them to leach into the food we consume,” remarked Jenny Kay, a research scientist at Silent Spring Institute, an organization dedicated to exploring the connection between chemicals, women’s health, and breast cancer, who was not involved in the study.
With rising rates of early-onset breast cancer in women under 50, experts believe that genetics alone cannot explain this trend.
“Colon cancer rates are also increasing among younger individuals,” noted Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, former deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society, who did not participate in the study. “Factors such as obesity, alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, and environmental influences are all potential contributors. It will take time to determine which factors have the most significant impact, as some chemicals may pose a high risk while others might be lower risk.”
The Consumer Brands Association, representing the consumer products industry, emphasized to CNN that its members comply with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) evidence-based safety standards.
“Packaging exists to protect food and ensure its safety for consumption,” said Sarah Gallo, the association’s senior vice president of product policy and federal affairs, in an email. “The FDA evaluates and approves food contact substances based on scientific and risk-based criteria before they enter the market. Their post-market review ensures continuous safety analysis and regulation of approved substances.”
The FDA has faced criticism for its slow response to health concerns regarding approximately 14,000 chemicals added to food. A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss improvements to its post-market food analyses.
Potential Breast Carcinogens
In 2007, Silent Spring released a list of 216 chemicals linked to mammary tumors in rodents, a key method for assessing toxicity, according to experts.
A January 2024 update to that list identified 921 potentially carcinogenic chemicals, including 642 that may stimulate estrogen or progesterone production—another known risk factor for breast cancer.
“The presence of so many potential breast carcinogens in food packaging, which can leach into our food, illustrates the numerous chemicals to which we are unknowingly exposed every day,” stated Kay, who coauthored the 2024 study update published in Environmental Health Perspectives.
“Many of the carcinogens associated with breast cancer are also hormone disruptors, and several of the chemicals on our list can damage DNA,” she added. “Consumers shouldn’t have to track scientific literature to know which chemicals to avoid; regulators should recognize these dangers and take action.”
Carcinogens in Plastics, Paper, and Cardboard
Published in Frontiers in Toxicology, the new study compared the Silent Spring database of known breast cancer carcinogens with the Food Contact Chemicals Monitored in Humans (FCChumon) database created by the Food Packaging Forum, which includes food contact chemicals detected in human breast milk, blood, urine, and tissues.
“The study compared our list of potential breast carcinogens with their list of chemicals found in food contact materials to identify which carcinogens might be entering people’s diets,” Kay explained. “This prioritizes chemicals for regulatory action.”
The study identified carcinogens such as benzene, a known carcinogen linked to breast cancer; 4,4’-Methylenebis-(2-Chloroaniline), associated with bladder cancer; 2,4-Toluenediamine, linked to breast and other cancers in animals; and 3,3′-Dimethylbenzidine and o-Toluidine, dyes used to color plastic and paper.
“Dyes can be found in plastics, paper, and cardboard and may possess toxic properties,” Kay noted. “Plastics are not the sole offenders.”
Most carcinogenic exposure stemmed from plastics in food packaging, but the study found 89 suspected carcinogens in paper and cardboard containers.
“Paper can have additives such as emulsifiers and adhesives used to bond layers together, including plastic layers glued to paper,” Muncke explained.
Several of the identified chemicals include bisphenols, phthalates, and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—hazardous chemicals linked to various health issues.
Often termed “forever chemicals” for their persistence in the environment, PFAS are used in food packaging to prevent grease and water from seeping through food wrappers and beverage cups. PFAS have also been associated with high cholesterol, cancer, and chronic diseases, along with reduced antibody responses to vaccines in adults and children, as reported by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Phthalates are connected to childhood obesity, asthma, cardiovascular issues, cancer, and premature death in individuals aged 55 to 64.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor linked to fetal abnormalities, low birth weight, and developmental issues in infants and children. In adults, BPA has been associated with diabetes, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, cancer, and a 49% increased risk of early death within ten years.
Steps to Reduce Exposure
While regulatory agencies must implement comprehensive changes to safeguard the food supply, consumers can take measures to minimize exposure to toxic chemicals and carcinogens, as recommended by Silent Spring:
- Avoid burning or charring food: High temperatures or open flames can create DNA-damaging chemicals from muscle meats. Use ventilation while cooking.
- Remove fat from meat and fish: Pollutants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) accumulate in fat. Discard fat and skin before cooking.
- Choose smaller, younger seafood: These typically contain lower levels of mercury and other toxins compared to larger, older fish.
- Be cautious with canned foods and lined cartons: Some may still contain BPA in their linings, while substitutes like acrylic, polyester, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) may have uncertain safety profiles.
- Opt for organic produce, meat, and dairy: Organic foods are generally exposed to fewer pesticides, even if heavy metals are still present.
- Replace plastic containers: Use glass for storage and microwaving, avoid nonstick cookware, and switch plastic bottles and coffee makers for glass or stainless steel alternatives.
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