Schakowsky, DeLauro, Dingell Introduce Legislation to Ban Harmful Toxics in Food Packaging
WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Debbie Dingell (MI-06) introduced the No Toxics in Food Packaging Act to ban bisphenol A (BPA), per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), ortho-phthalates, styrene, and antimony trioxide from being used in food packaging and processing materials because science has demonstrated that these chemicals are detrimental to human health – they can cause cancer and disrupt hormones to name a few effects.
“Cancer causing and hormone disrupting chemicals belong nowhere near our food, but currently, they are,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “I’m proud to introduce the No Toxics in Food Packaging Act with Reps. DeLauro and Dingell to finally ban several of the most dangerous toxic chemicals used in food packaging and processing materials that we know can cause harm. For my entire career, I have fought for food safety, and there is still more work to be done. Consumers deserve to know that the foods and products they purchase are safe and will not lead to adverse health effects. The time to act is now.”
“Toxic substances need to be banned from food packaging,” said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro. “Americans want peace of mind that the products they buy will not increase their risk of cancer. Exposure to these ‘forever chemicals’ from food packaging are linked to increased health risks, including breast cancer. It is time to eliminate that risk by banning these substances altogether. I am proud to join Congresswoman Schakowsky in introducing the No Toxics in Food Packaging Act, to lower the risk of cancer and better protect American’s health.”
“Toxic chemicals that pose significant risks to human health are found in products Americans use every day, like food packaging. Research has shown exposure to these toxins can cause liver disease, disrupt hormones, and cause cancer. Americans should have confidence that dangerous chemicals are not allowed near the food we eat, which is why I am proud to join Rep. Schakowsky in introducing the No Toxics in Food Packaging Act,” said Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.
There is overwhelming evidence that breast cancer is linked to chemicals we are exposed to every day in our homes, our places of work, study, worship, and even the packaging our food comes in. According to the National Institute of Health, breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death amongst American women. Studies have shown a 40% increase in breast cancer incidence over the past 50 years. This means it affects one in eight women today. As you are reading this, a loved one learns that they have been diagnosed with breast cancer and the vast majority of those diagnosed have no known genetic risk. This legislation will bring into focus the non-genetic causes of breast cancer and take action to eliminate our exposure to these toxic substances.
"Every day, people risk being exposed to cancer-causing and hormone-disrupting chemicals from their food packaging without their knowledge or consent. We applaud Reps. Schakowsky, DeLauro and Dingell for introducing the No Toxics in Food Packaging Act, aimed at ending the use of five well-established carcinogens and hormone disruptors in food packaging. This crucial legislation marks a significant stride in preventing breast cancer, which strikes 1 in 8 women, most of whom have no genetic predisposition for the disease, while also addressing other serious health concerns,” said Lisette van Vliet, Senior Policy Manager at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners.
Additional cosponsors of the No Toxics in Food Packaging Act include U.S. Representatives Raúl Grijalva (AZ-03), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).
The No Toxics in Food Packaging Act is endorsed by Alaska Communities Against Toxics, Alliance for Natural Health USA, Black Women for Wellness, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Breast Cancer Over Time, California Black Health Network, California Environmental Voters, Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice, Center for Environmental Health, Center for Public Environmental Oversight, Clean Earth 4 Kids, Clean Water Action, Communities for a Better Climate, Consumer Reports, Beyond Plastics, Center for Food Safety, Defend Our Health, Families Advocating for Chemicals and Toxics Safety, Food & Water Watch, Friends Committee on Legislation of California, Green Science Policy Institute, Hawai’i Alliance for Progressive Action, Healthy Schools Network, Last Batch Clean Up, Long Beach ReUses Coalition, Mammavation, National Stewardship Action Council, National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation, Organizing for Plastic Alternatives, Pesticide Action Network, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Northeast Organic Farming Association New Hampshire, Northeast Organic Farming Association New Jersey, Northeast Organic Farming Association Vermont, Northeast Organic Farming Association Interstate Council, Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, Organic Farming Research Foundation, Plastic Free Future, Protect Our Breasts, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Save the Albatross Coalition, Save the Bay (San Francisco, CA), TEJAS – Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services, Western Broome Environmental Stakeholders Coalition, Zero Waste Washington.
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