Plastic in Fast Food?

The Washington Post and other news organizations recently reported on a study from George Washington University that researched 64-fast-food menu items from a wide variety of fast-food chains, including McDonald’s and Burger King; pizza chains Pizza Hut and Domino’s; and Tex-Mex chains Taco Bell and Chipotle in and around San Antonio, Texas.  In a majority of the food samples studied, the researchers found chemicals called “phthalates” that are harmful to health and can cause health problems.  But it isn’t the first-time concerns have been raised about phthalates in fast-food.  The article, “Would you like phthalates with that burger?” appeared on March 29, 2018 in Environmental Health News. 

What are phthalates?

According to CDC, “Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics more durable.”  Another name for phthalates is “plasticizers”.  These chemicals are in many products we buy including vinyl flooring and even beauty products like soaps and shampoos.  Other phthalates are used in making plastic packaging.  CDC notes we are exposed to phthalates when we eat or drink foods that have contacted products containing this chemical. 

Without knowing it, your body probably contains some phthalates.   CDC studied phthalate metabolites in the urine of over 2,636 people age 6 and older and found phthalate metabolites is “widespread in the U.S. population”.  Unfortunately, for women, the levels are higher.   Probably because phthalates are in a lot of beauty products such as cosmetics and in the every day shampoos, soaps and body washes.

Is the amount of phthalate in foods regulated?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates food safety but at the present time has no limits on phthalates in food.  Another agency that monitors chemicals in food is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the levels researchers found in fast-food are below the current EPA guidelines. 

How do phthalates get into fast-food?

The Washington Post noted that restaurant food may come in contact with plastics containing phthalates in a number of places along the food chain.  Some possible sources are the gloves food manufacturers and restaurant workers wear, conveyor belts, tubing – things that touch the food along the food chain.  In fact, the researchers did test the gloves the food handlers wore and these gloves contained phthalates. 

In a study of over 10,000 people, other researchers have found those “who frequently eat out at restaurants, cafeterias and fast food joints have phthalate levels about 35 percent higher than people who mostly eat food bought at a grocery store and prepared at home.”  You may wonder eating what foods at restaurants or fast-food establishments resulted in the highest phthalate levels?  “Varhavsky and Zota also found certain foods – such as cheeseburgers and sandwiches bought at restaurants, fast food joints or a cafeteria – seem to spur higher phthalate levels.” 

Make and pack your own sandwich and use a Ziplock bag.

What are some health problems due to consuming phthalates?

WebMD has a good article, What are Phthalates?  They review some health consequences of being exposed to high levels of phthalates.   Some health effects they note are:  damage to “reproductive systems of lab rats, especially males.”  One phthalate, DEHP, has been linked to cancer in animals.  The Washington Post article noted the phthalate, DnBP, has been linked to asthma and increased reproductive problems.  

What are some ways to lessen your intake of phthalates?  (Adapted from How Can I Protect Myself?   and an article on reducing phthalate exposure )

1. Eat more foods at home.  Preparing fresh food at home will cut back on your intake of phthalates.
2. Pack a lunch – rather than eating a take-out lunch every day, pack your lunch with fresh food items.  Make your own sandwich, pack some fresh fruit, bring a yogurt. 
3. Microwave foods in a glass container, and not a plastic container.  This will not only keep some phthalates out of your food but plastics in general.  See:  How much plastic are you eating?  
4. Eat less fast-food.  Let fast-food meals be a treat and not an everyday occurrence.
5. But less food packaged in plastic.  Buy milk in cartons, not plastic jugs.  Buy juice in cartons and not the plastic bottle.
6. Eat less food wrapped in plastic.   But the makers of Saran wrap and Ziploc bags have stated they don’t use phthalates.  

Store and heat leftovers in glass containers, not plastic.

When my husband and I go on vacation, we often bring along a lot of our own food.  We like to eat a breakfast and lunch we packed.  More so to ensure we are eating healthy foods like yogurt, fresh fruit and whole grains.  We do eat dinner out but we aren’t eating 3 meals a day out.  People who routinely buy lunch as take out may want to think about packing their lunch most days and occasionally ordering take out.  Eating more fresh food and less take-out food is one way to cut back on your phthalate intake.  When storing leftovers, I usually put them in a glass container with a lid.  Then when we want to reheat the leftovers, we are reheating in a glass container, and not a plastic container.  Easy changes that can reduce chemicals like phthalates in your food.

Pack your own lunch for work.

 Sources:  Washington Post , article , CDC , regulated , study , levels , What are Phthalates? , noted , noted , levels , How Can I Protect Myself? , exposure  , plastic    Image Sources:  Glass containers , Sandwiches, lunch