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Fast food wrappers and packaging contain toxins

A story that keeps coming up, much like the fast food likely referenced in this article (sorry), a large number of fast food wrappers and packaging contain harmful toxins. The toxins are ones that we’ve written about on numerous occasions, that would be PFAS. PFAS comes from the man-made chemicals perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl. Recent tests found these harmful toxins in the wrappers and packaging of fast food chains like: Burger King, Wendy’s, and McDonald’s.

PFAS is harmful to the environment as well as humans. As CNN writes, exposure to PFAS has been shown to be associated with “liver damage, immune disorders, cancer and endocrine disruption -- meaning they mimic or interfere with the body's natural hormone processes.” Since PFAS is harmful to the environment and humans, that means once a toxic wrapper or packaging has been discarded, it can contaminate “drinking water, food, and air.”

Even containers marketed as “environmentally safe” aren’t. Not only are they not safe for the environment, the study shows in some cases they actually contain “the highest levels of any packaging tested” (CNN). As the chief of environmental pediatrics at NYU, Dr. Leonardo Trasande explains, "Ecologically friendly doesn't mean human health friendly. Those are two different considerations…”

Department stores, restaurants, and fast food chains have all made concerted efforts over the years to rid their products of harmful chemicals. And while progress has been made, studies like this one show that more work is to be done.

To read the full article over at CNN.com, click here: https://cnn.it/3hiecAI