Chemicals in food labels linked to prostate cancer and breast cancer are leaping through packaging and coming into contact with food, a McGill University study has found.
The research team that conducted this study analyzed a range of fresh packaged foods available for sale in Canada, including meats, cheeses, vegetables and baked goods. She also compared fish purchased from stores in Canada and the United States, as well as foods wrapped in stretch plastic wrap, with or without a label.
Relatively high concentrations of bisphenol S (BPS) have been measured in labels and stickers on which barcodes or prices are printed by heat transfer. In contrast, the team found little or no BPS in the wraps, absorbent pads and plastic trays.
“The amount of BPS detected in the foods examined greatly exceeded the limit value authorized by the European Union”, can we read in particular in the document. Remember that Canada does not regulate the use of BPS, but measures have been taken to restrict the use of bisphenol A (BPA), a toxic chemical associated with prostate cancer and breast cancer.
“In many cases, BPA has been replaced by similar endocrine disruptors, including bisphenol S (BPS), to which Canadians are believed to be exposed daily.”
Endocrine disruptors disrupt the balance of the endocrine system by mimicking the effect of hormones or blocking their action.
“Given the amount of food sold with thermal labels, we are probably ingesting a fairly large amount of BPS and similar chemicals,” said one of the study’s authors, Stéphane Bayen, associate professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences. food and agrochemicals.
The researchers believe that “further assessment of the risks associated with BPS and its ability to transfer from packaging to food” should be carried out in order to establish “regulatory guidelines for the food sector”.