HEALTH HAZARD
Dangerous chemicals found in fast-food packaging
Researchers say they had detected fluorine in nearly half the 400 container samples from 27 fast-food chains
The risky chemicals that keep cooking grease from leaking out of fast-food containers are widespread across the US, according to a peer-reviewed study. Researchers say they had detected fluorine in nearly half the 400 container samples from 27 fast-food chains, including the four largest in the US — McDonald’s, Starbucks, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Yum! Brands. That’s an indication that potentially dangerous chemicals, called PFASs, are present in wrappers for popular items such as burgers, burritos and pastries, the authors say. The study found desserts, bread and Tex-Mex foods were most often exposed and, at some restaurants, 100% of samples tested positive. At McDonald’s, 19% of samples contained the chemicals. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved about 20 of the 3,000 estimated PFASs for use in food packaging. But scientists are troubled about the lack of information on whether the PFASs, also called PFCs, are different enough from their chemical cousins — once...
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