Phthalates are plasticizers—chemicals that make plastic more flexible and durable. Although useful, the widespread application of phthalates in manufacturing has left their residue on almost everything humans touch, from printed receipts to household dust and even our favorite foods and beverages.

Friedman L. The plastic chemicals hiding in your food. Consumer Reports. February 8, 2024.

 

A 2024 report from Consumer Reports revealed some startling facts—many of the items topping their list of foods with the highest concentration of toxic plasticizers are marketed as health foods, including the following.

Friedman L. The plastic chemicals hiding in your food. Consumer Reports. February 8, 2024.

 

• Fairlife Core Power high-protein chocolate milkshakes

• Annie’s Organic cheesy ravioli

• Yoplait Original French vanilla low-fat yogurt

• Chicken of the Sea pink salmon

 

 

Potential impact on human health

 

“Phthalates are known to interfere with the action of hormones in our bodies. They may imitate certain hormones or prevent them from performing normal biological processes,” explains Tami Best, a functional and integrative registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching. 

Best emphasizes that endocrine disruptors like phthalates have long-reaching implications for the human body, particularly in vulnerable populations. “Changing the function or efficacy of hormones can disrupt growth, development, reproduction, immunity, stress regulation, circadian rhythm, and metabolic health,” she says.

 

 

How phthalates sneak into the food supply

 

“Since plastic is being used more than it ever has, we are just now seeing the effects of overuse,” explains Stephanie Laham, food scientist and director of research and development for Lyman Orchards. “Various points of entry throughout the food production process allow for phthalate exposure. From the environment to agricultural practices, to processing to packaging, every step from farm to table represents a potential opportunity for phthalates to enter your food or personal care products.”

Consumer Reports has been investigating the levels of phthalates and other toxins in the food supply for decades. In addition to the foods marketed as healthy and organic, their 2024 report also revealed that many favorite fast food items, including Wendy’s crispy chicken nuggets, Chipotle’s chicken burrito, and Burger King’s Whopper with cheese, were also very high in phthalates. 

 

 

Challenges of reducing exposure

 

“The main issue is it's not just one type of product we can focus on,” Laham tells MDLinx. “The production facility in which a product is made can greatly affect phthalate levels. Some facilities may have more plastic tubing and conveyors than others, which greatly increases the risk of leaching. Ingredients and/or final products heated in plastic containers or stored in plastic are more prone to increased phthalate concentrations.”

Best added, “A difficult aspect of avoiding contact with phthalates is that they are not just a single chemical; they are a family of chemicals that come in many forms. The reality is they show up in just about all packaged foods in varying amounts. They are difficult to detect on labels and are not always identified since they come in many forms.”

“Unfortunately,” says Best, “since the health implications could be caused by the cumulative exposure of these chemicals, having thresholds may do little good for protecting the health of humans.” A 2023 study by the EPA bears this out.

Payne-Sturges D, De Saram S, Cory-Slechta DA. Cumulative risk evaluation of phthalates under TSCA. Environ Sci Technol. 2023;57(16):6403–6414.

 

 

Practical tips to protect your patients

 

The Consumer Reports findings demonstrate that the health claims on processed foods aren’t telling the whole story. While health-conscious consumers often shop for more protein, less sugar, or other desirable qualities, processed foods have inherent risks that simply aren’t spelled out on the label. 

“There are no regulations in place for food products because there hasn't been any real testing done to see what levels are safe and what aren't,” says Laham. “There are connections between phthalates and certain diseases, but no way to prove them since phthalates are found in almost everything.”

For now, the best way to avoid phthalates is by sticking to unprocessed foods. Best explaines, “The more food is processed, the more opportunity for these phthalates to enter the food chain. Many health foods such as protein powders, protein drinks, and green powders go through a large amount of processing, making them at risk for higher levels of these plasticizers.” 

“To reduce exposure to phthalates, look for the words: phthalate-free,” advises Best. She also suggested the following tips:

• Use the Environmental Working Group's list of preferred cosmetics.

  Galligan T. Six tips to avoid phthalates after study highlights health harms, billion-dollar costs. Environmental Working Group. October 19, 2021.

   

• Do not store or reheat foods in plastic containers. 

• Choose foods sold in glass or in bulk, which have less opportunity to encounter plastic. 

• Pay attention to the farming practices producing your dairy and meat products. 

• Search for suppliers who actively avoid exposing their animals to plastic.