Q&A: Phthalates, plasticizers are understudied yet 'widespread' in fast food

Phthalates and replacement plasticizers, chemicals used in food packaging and processing, were commonly found in fast-food items, according to a study published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology Qualitative.

Studies have linked phthalates to many adverse reproductive and metabolic outcomes, according to Lariah Edwards, PhD, a postdoctoral research scientist at George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, and colleagues. They are known endocrine disruptors and have been banned from use in certain products. Manufacturers use plasticizers as a replacement for phthalates. Due to a lack of research, the researchers said it is unknown if plasticizers are linked to any health problems.

Lariah and colleagues analyzed the levels of phthalates and replacement plasticizers in popular fast-food items available in the U.S., including hamburgers, fries, chicken burritos, cheese pizza, chicken nuggets and hamburger patties. The researchers obtained the items from McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Taco Bell and Chipotle.

Overall, they found phthalates and replacement plasticizers “abundant” in meals from fast-food restaurants. They detected seven phthalates and three replacement plasticizers in 64 food samples. Specifically, 81% of foods analyzed contained a type of phthalate. Also, 86% of foods contained a replacement plasticizer. Foods containing meat had higher levels of the chemicals, according to Lariah and colleagues. Chicken burritos and cheeseburgers had the highest levels of replacement plasticizers.

The researchers called for stronger regulations on the chemicals included in food packaging.

Healio Primary Care spoke with Edwards to learn more about the chemicals and how they can impact people’s health.

Healio Primary Care: What is the take-home message of the study?

Edwards: Phthalates and replacement plasticizers were widespread in prepared meals available at popular fast-food restaurants in the U.S., which means that people can easily be exposed.

Healio Primary Care: Were you surprised by the results?

Edwards: No. Previous studies have linked consumption of fast foods to higher concentrations of phthalates in people’s bodies. Our study is building off these prior studies, yet our study is novel because we directly measured chemicals in fast-food items. There is a lack of data about the concentrations of these chemicals in fast food.

Healio Primary Care: Can you briefly describe why phthalates and replacement plasticizers are dangerous to people’s health? What are they exactly? What health risks are at stake?

Edwards: Phthalates are chemicals commonly found in plastics to make products more flexible, but they are also used as solvents in personal care products and cleaning products. We know enough from the literature to be concerned about the health effects to humans. Phthalates are known to disrupt hormones in humans and are linked to a long list of health problems such as reproductive and children’s neurodevelopmental effects.

Our study also measured replacement plasticizers. These are chemicals that are used in place of phthalates in products since some phthalates in the U.S. have been banned. However, it is unclear if they are linked to health problems because there is limited research available.

Healio Primary Care: Why is it dangerous that these chemicals are not well studied? Shouldn’t the research have come before they were authorized for use?

Edwards: We found these replacement plasticizers in foods, which means people are exposed to these chemicals even though the chemicals' impacts on human health remain poorly understood. This is concerning.

Unfortunately, in this country, we have a history of allowing chemicals to be used in products, thus exposing the population before we really understand how they affect our health.

Healio Primary Care: You analyzed foods from a few well-known fast-food restaurants. Do you expect the chemicals to be found in all fast-food restaurants and even dine-in restaurants or grocery store items?

Edwards: Yes. Phthalates are widely used in food packaging, handling and processing equipment and products. Many of our foods are packaged and processed to some degree. Prior research has shown that people dining out at restaurants and cafeterias have higher levels of phthalates in their body than people who reported eating foods from grocery stores. Additionally, phthalates have also been detected in foods purchased from grocery stores.

Healio Primary Care: How do these chemicals contribute to health inequity?

Edwards: Diet is the primary way people are exposed to certain phthalates, and possibly the replacement plasticizers. Certain racial or ethnic groups in the U.S., like non-Hispanic Blacks, are more likely to eat fast foods than other racial or ethnic groups because of many factors, such as decades of racial residential segregation in the U.S. This may lead to exposure inequities, such that certain groups will be more likely to be exposed to phthalates than others.

Healio Primary Care: Should the chemicals be banned?

Edwards: In the U.S., phthalates are only regulated in children’s toys. We need phthalate regulations that make sense.

Healio Primary Care: Should physicians warn patients about these chemicals in fast foods?

Edwards: I believe our work adds to the narrative that fast food isn’t the healthiest choice. However, limiting fast food consumption isn’t an option for everyone. I hope my work informs physicians and they can determine what is best to relay to their patients.

Reference:

Edwards L, et al. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2021;doi:10.1038/s41370-021-00392-8.