RELEASE: California advances bill to get toxic chemicals out of food and drink packaging

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California’s state Assembly passed a bill to ban two classes of toxic chemicals from food and drink packaging on Monday. AB 1148, introduced by Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins (La Mesa), passed the Assembly with a 55-11 vote. The legislation aims to ban bisphenols and phthalates –chemical classes known to cause cancer and other negative health impacts– from food and drink packaging. The bill now moves to the Senate.

 “Chemicals linked to cancer shouldn’t be anywhere near our food. We shouldn’t need to be expert toxicologists to know what’s safe for our families,” said CALPIRG Legislative Advocate Fiona Hines. “We’re thankful the state legislature is taking action to protect Californians’ health.”

Federal law already prohibits a chemical from being approved by the FDA for use in food if it is found to induce cancer when ingested by people or animals. Unfortunately, the FDA still allows these chemicals to be used in food and drink packaging, despite scientific evidence that they can migrate into the foods and drinks they house. California previously banned bisphenols and phthalates from a variety of products, including products for children and medical products that could allow chemicals to travel into the bloodstream.

“California has already gone on record acknowledging the health hazards linked to these chemicals by banning bisphenols from baby bottles and kids’ drinkware, and banning phthalates from kids toys, IVs and cosmetics,” said Assemblymember Sharp-Collins. “My bill takes the next logical step by also phasing these toxic chemicals out of food packaging to ensure Californians are further protected from these unsafe exposures.”

Bisphenols and phthalates are linked to numerous health impacts – including cancer, reproductive harms and brain development in children. The most notorious bisphenol is bisphenol A (BPA), which has been linked to hyperactivity in children. Both bisphenols and phthalates are hormone disruptors, which impact the endocrine system and can increase cancer risk. Even a microscopic change in hormone production interferes with normal bodily functions, especially during pregnancy. 

“BCPP’s own product testing shows bisphenols and phthalates can migrate from food packaging into our food and then into people. This is simply not okay,” said Nancy Buermeyer, Director of Program and Policy at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. “No one should face an increased risk of breast cancer, endocrine disruption or other adverse health effects through something as basic as the food they eat.”

More than 35 public health, consumer protection, and environmental groups support AB 1148.

“Consumers are increasingly concerned about the presence of unsafe chemicals in their food, but they have no way to know if the packaging holding their food has chemicals that could cause health concerns, said Susan Little, California Legislative Director at Environmental Working Group. “We appreciate Assemblymember Sharp-Collins leadership in authoring AB 1148, which will rid food packaging of two very toxic classes of chemicals.”