FAHY, HOYLMAN URGE IMMEDIATE ACTION FOLLOWING LEAKED FDA REPORT FINDING CANCER-CAUSING CHEMICALS IN COMMON FOODS, PACKAGING
A national study completed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) leaked to major U.S. media outlets found that cancer-causing chemicals, otherwise known as and classified as PFAS, are used and found in a shockingly large number of food products and food packaging. PFAS chemicals have been linked to a number of health disparities including but not limited to thyroid, kidney, prostate, testicular cancer, high cholesterol, liver disease, and could lead to serious complications in pregnant women and developing fetuses. (1)
The full negative health effects of long-term cumulative PFAS contamination on human beings is still not fully understood however multiple studies have linked them cancer and other illnesses. The FDA states that PFAS in our water supply has been long-thought to make its way into our food as a result, as well as everyday packaging. A shocking detail released within the report shows that commonplace grocery store-bought chocolate cake registered PFAS chemicals at 250 times what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends for water contamination. Almost half of all meat and seafood samples collected by the FDA tested positive for some level of PFAS contamination.
As the Trump administration continues to delay action and research on PFAS chemicals, it only furthers the need for a state-level solution. Senator Brad Hoylman and the Assemblymember Patricia Fahy sponsor legislation, S.2000/A.4739-A, which would prohibit the sale and distribution of food packages and packaging that contain any amount of PFAS chemicals. The full report has not yet been made available to the public by the FDA. In the interest of public health the FDA must release the full report as soon as possible.
“The leaked FDA report on PFAS chemical contamination in our food packaging and supply is both troubling and a call to action for environmental and health policymakers everywhere,” said Assemblymember Patricia Fahy. “The more we understand the effects of long-term cumulative PFAS chemical contamination in relation to human health, the more disturbing the evidence and conclusions become. We should utilize a precautionary approach here and prohibit the use of all PFAS chemicals in food packaging, and pass legislation I carry with Senator Brad Hoylman to do just that.”
“Any amount of PFAS in our food supply is too much,” said Senator Brad Hoylman. “The FDA’s new finding that nearly half of meat and seafood samples contain these cancer-causing chemicals is a full blown public health crisis. Federal negligence on PFAS poses a grave threat to the health and safety of New Yorkers. We owe it to our kids to curb this silent health epidemic and pass the legislation I carry with Assemblymember Fahy that would prohibit all PFAS in food packaging and products.”
“This FDA report shows the urgent need to pass legislation that gets PFAS out of food packaging in order to protect the health of New Yorkers,” said Julie Tighe, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “Eliminating these types of contaminants, which cause cancer and other health impacts, from the environment is one of our top priorities. Thank you to Assemblymember Fahy and Senator Hoylman for leading the way on this important legislation.”
“The findings from the leaked FDA report are disturbing and demonstrate yet another way that our over-consumptive habits are damaging not only our air, water, and wild places, but also our own health,” said Caitlin Ferrante, Conservation & Development Program Manager at the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. “PFAS chemicals do not break down in the human body, nor do they break down in the environment, meaning they remain and accumulate for years to come. We need to stop using chemicals that are continuing to pollute our environment and the Sierra Club looks forward to working with Assemblymember Fahy and Senator Hoylman to ensure A.4739/S.2000 become law this year.”
(1). An Overview of Perfluroakyl and and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and Interim Guidance for Clinicians Responding to Patient Exposure Concerns, Center for Disease Control, National Center for Environmental Health, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 05/07/2018.
