Letter to Dr. Gottlieb, Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration - Investigate Phthalates in Fast Food and Food Packaging

Letter

Dear Dr. Gottlieb:

I write today to urge the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take immediate action and investigate the use of phthalates in fast food and food packaging. Certain phthalates are banned from a variety of products, including children's toys and baby bottles, because of their harmful effects on child development both in utero and throughout childhood. It is crucial that the entity responsible for ensuring safety of food products be aware of and properly respond to the presence of these chemicals in the packaging of foods we consume.

As you know, phthalates are widely used across numerous products and industries to make plastics flexible. According to the FDA, certain phthalates are shown to be toxic and can cause both developmental and reproductive problems. A recent study from George Washington University found that people who regularly consume fast food tended to have higher levels of phthalates in their bodies versus those who rarely ate fast food. This means that phthalates from fast food packaging can directly transfer into the food it is wrapped around. In addition, researchers believe that these chemicals can seep into the foods during processing from other materials that are used in handling those foods.

A 2014 study in the JAMA Pediatrics found a link between preterm birth and the level of phthalates found in the mother's urine. As a result, researchers recommend that pregnant women take proper precautions to minimize exposure and risk to this hazardous chemical. Additionally, a 2013 study from New York University pediatric and environmental researchers found an association between high levels of phthalates and increased insulin resistance in young adolescents. Simply minimizing exposure to plastics is not enough to combat this evidently hazardous chemicals.

I applaud the FDA's oversight of food packaging and your ongoing work to enforce safety standards on consumable goods across the country. However, it is clear that further investigation is needed to determine the safety of phthalates in food packaging. We must do all we can to avoid exposing our families and children to potentially harmful chemicals. Thank you for your consideration on this important health concern.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

Source