Consumer Reports has found that plastics retain a “widespread” presence in food despite the health risks, and called on regulators to reassess the safety of plastics that come into contact with food during production.

The non-profit consumer group said on Thursday that 84 out of 85 supermarket foods and fast foods it recently tested contained “plasticizers” known as phthalates, a chemical used to make plastic more durable.

It also said 79% of food samples in its study contained bisphenol A (BPA), another chemical found in plastic, and other bisphenols, though levels were lower than in tests done in 2009.

Consumer Reports said none of the phthalate levels it found exceeded limits set by U.S. and European regulators.

It also said there was no level of phthalates that scientists confirm is safe, but that does not guarantee the safety of foods you eat.

  • Potatos_are_not_friends@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    71
    ·
    11 months ago

    We all look back at how they used to have asbestos in the walls, or lead in paint and gasoline, and how stupid we were.

    Future scientists will look back at this era as the micro plastics era

    • Fredselfish@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      30
      ·
      11 months ago

      My doctor told me yesterday that it was already in all our bloods. Says they know it will effect our health badly just not sure how yet.

      We need to end the use of plastic.

      • pearsaltchocolatebar@discuss.online
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        18
        arrow-down
        1
        ·
        11 months ago

        They’ve even found it in fetuses. I’m convinced that microplastics will wipe out humanity before climate change does by lowering the birth rate to an unsustainable level.

      • ef9357@lemmy.sdf.org
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        11
        ·
        11 months ago

        Agreed. We never wanted plastic in the first place. Government allowed/allows industries to force it on us by removing non-plastic options.

        • Fredselfish@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          11 months ago

          Oh shit! But I understand they are working on a other solution to plastics just haven’t cracked it yet.

      • lolcatnip@reddthat.com
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        edit-2
        11 months ago

        I honestly find it very difficult to imagine what a modern-ish world without plastics would even look like. We’d need to find replacements for so many ubiquitous things, and not just convenience items, but important things like PCBs and medical supplies.

        • Fredselfish@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          10 months ago

          We could do a lot of good by outlawing plastic bags and bottles. Those two alone We can do and use alternatives with no consequences. It also be two of the biggest plastic waste contributors.