Producers of packaging need to be held responsible for how they are exposing consumers to harmful chemicals.
Chemicals in plastic packaging can leak into our food. Also, the plastic breaks into tiny particles (microfibers) that we consume when we are eating. None of this can be healthy for the consumer.
Harmful material in our food is upsetting. Producers of plastic need to be held responsible for the packaging they use. Corporations think they should regulate themselves. That is clearly not working! We need tough standards for our food packaging, but also in cosmetics, toys and other packaging as well.
Consumer Reports sent a letter to General Mills this week over relatively high levels of plastic chemicals called phthalates found in several products, including Cheerios, Yoplait, Progresso vegetable soup and cans of Annie’s organic cheesy ravioli.
Phthalates are “plasticizers” used in the production of plastic to make them stronger and softer and are commonly used in vinyl flooring, shampoos and plastic packaging. Health impacts in humans need further study, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but scientists have found strong associations between chronic exposure and issues with reproductive systems and child development.
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Just a year ago, the board at General Mills said that General Mills needed to reduce the plastic in their packaging https://foodindustryexecutive.com/2022/09/general-mills-shareholders-support-plastic-reduction-proposal-preliminary-results/
More articles:
Walter Morris, “Hyattsville residents raise concerns about plastic pellets spilled in train derailment,” NBC4 Washington, October 3, 2023.
2. Neel Dhamesha, “The massive, unregulated source of plastic pollution you’ve probably never heard of,” Vox, May 6, 2022.
3. Karen McVeigh “Nurdles: the worst toxic waste you’ve probably never heard of,” The Guardian, November 29, 2021.
4. Karen McVeigh, “Nurdles: the worst toxic waste you’ve probably never heard of,” November 29, 2021.
5. Lisa Frank, “New bill would stop companies from dumping plastic,” U.S. PIRG, May 25, 2022.
6. “Our waters shouldn’t be dumping grounds for plastic,” U.S. PIRG, October 3, 2023.
7. Doyle Rice, “Oh, yuck! You’re eating about a credit card’s worth of plastic every week,” USA Today, June 12
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