In two of the five analyzed samples of food packaging from Montenegro, egg packaging and popcorn packaging, so-called "permanent toxic chemicals" were found.
This is stated in the study "Eternal chemicals in disposable packaging and tableware" on the presence of PFAS compounds, in which the non-governmental organization "Green Home" participated.
Research conducted in 17 countries, in cooperation with the International Pollutant Elimination Network (IPEN) on a total of 119 samples, was published at the end of last year. Then questions regarding the results were addressed to the Directorate for Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Affairs, but from the Directorate headed by Vladimir Djakovic, did not respond.
According to the results of the study, nine samples were sent from Montenegro - wrappers for fast food, packages for popcorn (which are prepared in a microwave oven) and packaging made of recycled paper for packaging low-fat food. Five were analyzed, and the results showed that two samples - popcorn packaging and egg packaging, exceed the limit value for the total amount of PFAS that may be in food and beverage packaging according to European Union guidelines.
According to the data from the study, the permitted limit values exceed the package of microwave popcorn produced by the producer "Berny" and the package for eggs of the farm "Kovačević".
Executive Director of NGO "Green Home" Azra Vuković yesterday she told "Vijesti" that at the overall level, the test results showed that "as many as 64 out of 119 samples (54 percent of the analyzed samples in total) contain PFAS, including fast food packages from large fast food chains".
"Out of a total of 58 targeted PFAS compounds, as many as 21 compounds were detected using this method. This points to the need for additional research in the field of packaging safety for human health, to more effective application of regulations related to the control of chemicals in packaging, but also to better awareness of people when it comes to choosing products for consumption," said Vuković.
She explained that the method used to determine the total amount of PFAS that can be extracted from samples is extractable organic fluoride (EOF).
"Certain PFAS chemicals are included in the prohibited toxic substances of the Stockholm Convention, to which the state of Montenegro has been a signatory since March 2011. There are defined thresholds for several small groups of PFAS compounds, however this is not sufficient to achieve control of these compounds in disposable food packaging. "A universal ban on polymeric PFAS compounds is necessary to stop the exposure of people to these toxins and their migration into environmental segments," said Vuković.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are, she explained, a large group of toxic chemical compounds that are widely present in the production of various types of products.
"PFAS compounds have a number of negative effects on human health and the environment, such as effects on fertility, fetal development, and thyroid gland functions. These substances are commonly used in the paper, pulp and molded fiber industries to produce grease and water resistant food packaging and disposable tableware. Because of their properties such as grease resistance, PFAS are widely used in the production of baking paper and cookie liners, bakery bags, fast food and takeout boxes, microwave popcorn bags and compostable containers," she said. Vuković.
As she added, it is known to science that PFAS compounds can transfer from packaging to food, given that they are in direct contact.
"Research has confirmed that there is a link between the consumption of food packaged in packaging containing PFAS chemicals and the concentration of PFAS chemicals in human blood. This is precisely why people are concerned when it comes to the consumption of food packaged in disposable packaging," said Vuković.
The study "Perpetual chemicals in disposable packaging and tableware" was published on the site https://ipen.org.
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