Consumer Reports Reveals ‘Widespread’ Presence of Plastics in Food, Calls for Regulatory Reassessment

Consumer Reports, a non-profit consumer group, has conducted a study revealing a “widespread” presence of plastics in food, despite known health risks. The group is urging regulators to reevaluate the safety of plastics used in food production.

In a recent study, Consumer Reports tested 85 supermarket foods and fast foods, discovering that 84 of them contained “plasticizers,” specifically phthalates—a chemical used to enhance the durability of plastic. Additionally, 79% of the food samples included bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols, although the levels were lower than those found in tests conducted in 2009.

While none of the identified phthalate levels exceeded regulatory limits set by the U.S. and Europe, Consumer Reports emphasized that there is no scientifically confirmed safe level of phthalates, highlighting the ongoing concern for food safety.

Phthalates and bisphenols have the potential to disrupt the production and regulation of hormones, including estrogen, raising the risk of various health issues such as birth defects, cancer, diabetes, infertility, neurodevelopmental disorders, and obesity.

Among the supermarket foods tested, Annie’s Organic Cheesy Ravioli had the highest phthalate content per serving (53,579 nanograms), followed by Del Monte sliced peaches and Chicken of the Sea pink salmon. Elevated phthalate levels were also found in products from popular brands like Cheerios, Gerber baby food, Yoplait yogurt, Wendy’s, Burger King, and McDonald’s.

Consumer Reports noted variations in phthalate levels even among similar products, indicating that reduction strategies are possible. For example, Wendy’s Crispy Chicken Nuggets had over four times the phthalate level of McDonald’s Chicken McNuggets.

James Rogers, overseeing Consumer Reports’ product safety testing, emphasized that a reassessment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other agencies regarding the risks of plasticizers is “overdue and essential.”

Polar raspberry lime seltzer was the only product tested that did not contain any phthalates.

As of now, General Mills, Burger King, Wendy’s, Chicken of the Sea, and Del Monte have not responded to requests for comments. However, Gerber and McDonald’s affirmed their commitment to regulatory requirements and rigorous testing for packaging chemicals.

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