Consumer Reports and More Union have petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to remove Lunchables food kits from the National School Food Lunch Program due to what the groups perceive as relatively high levels of lead and cadmium, as well as the presence of phthalates.
A recent European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) technical report has summarized emerging chemical risks to food safety identified by the agency and its processes for doing so, covering the period 2020–2023.
A recent study comparing the presence of chemical contaminants in conventionally and hydroponically grown produce found pesticide residues and toxic heavy metals in a larger number of conventional samples than in hydroponic samples. Phthalate levels were consistent between conventional and hydroponic samples.
Recent testing for phthalates and bisphenols like BPA in foods found all but one sample to contain phthalates and 79 percent of samples to contain bisphenols. Phthalates were present at worryingly high levels, although levels of bisphenols have decreased since 2009. The study was conducted by Consumer Reports.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) will be reevaluating the health risks posed by phthalates and replacement plasticizers used in food contact materials, and has recently published its scientific protocol for the hazard assessment of the substances.
Scientists at Northwestern Medicine have demonstrated a causal link between di-(2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP), a phthalate commonly used in food packaging, and uterine fibroid growth.
A recent study has found pervasive, low levels of lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and phthalates in U.S. cannabidiol products. The study also demonstrated substantial inaccuracies of product label claims for CBD potency.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has amended its food additive regulations and issued a request for information regarding phthalates in response to petitions requesting that FDA address the substances in food packaging and food contact surfaces
