To raise awareness about the prevalence of hazardous compounds in food contact materials and why we need stronger legislation to address them, HEAL has collaborated with Zero Waste Europe and CHEM Trust to develop www.toxicfreefoodpackaging.com.

Have you ever wondered if the plastic wrapping that surrounds the veggies and cheese you buy at the grocery contains dangerous chemicals? Approximately 8,000 chemicals can be used in food packaging and other food contact products in Europe alone. Not all of them have undergone extensive toxicological testing.

Current legislation is out of date and does not adequately safeguard people's or the environment's health. In reality, most materials used in food packaging are not covered by current EU legislation. Only a few materials, such as plastics and ceramics, are regulated at the EU level. Other materials, such as paper, cardboard, inks, coatings, and adhesives, are not specifically regulated by the EU. This results in a system of varying national rules and levels of protection from hazardous substances based on where you live. The Toxic-Free Food Packaging website serves as a clearinghouse for information and resources regarding dangerous chemicals in food contact materials, as well as updates on the imminent modification of EU food contact material regulations.

Reference:https://www.env-health.org/toxicfreepackaging-launching-a-new-website-on-toxic-free-food-packaging/