LANSING, Mich. (July 1, 2021) — Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and Rep. Yousef Rabhi (D-Ann Arbor) introduced Senate Bill 591 and House Bill 5250 this week. This legislation would ban toxic PFAS, BPA, and phthalate ‘forever chemicals’ from the manufacturing and sale of food packaging in Michigan.
Recent studies have shown that several major food chains are still using toxic PFAS chemicals in their food packaging. According to Ecology Center, more than one-third of packaging from burger chains and nearly 90% of packaging tested from health-conscious chains tested positive for PFAS chemicals.
“PFAS are a dangerous class of chemicals that are in our blood, our water, and even our food,” Sen. Irwin said. “Food packaging is one way that we put PFAS in our bodies and these dangerous chemicals are in many common food items such as french fry or chicken nugget bags, and burger wrappers at fast-food chains. That’s why I’m proposing legislation to protect people from this unnecessary harm by banning PFAS in food packaging.”
Used for their water- and grease-resistant properties, PFAS is linked to several adverse health effects including testicular cancer, high cholesterol, low infant birth weights, compromised immune systems, kidney cancer, infertility, and thyroid hormone disruption.
“Right now, Michiganders are facing the impossible task of protecting themselves and their families from invisible, pervasive contaminants in the food they buy,” Rep. Rabhi said. “That’s why we have food safety laws; to protect public health and give people confidence that their food is safe. These harmful substances simply should not be allowed in food packaging.”
Sen. Irwin argues that this issue requires urgent and aggressive attention.
“These chemicals suppress the immune system and are linked to an increase in numerous cancers such as kidney, ovarian, and prostate cancers,” he added. “We don’t need more cancer. What we need is to remove unnecessary, dangerous chemicals from our products so that they don’t pollute our bodies and the world around us.”
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