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FDA denies petition against use of phthalates in food packaging

fda.gov

31–40 of 197 posts

Re: FDA denies petition against use of phthalates in food packaging

#31

I think it's pretty clear the microplastics fear-mongering doesn't have a lot of credible evidence to back it. Of course no one wants tiny plastic particles floating around the environment. But the claim here is... does it harm you? Is it toxic? How dense are the particulates per millilitre? Very little to suggest anything substantial. Just a reminder that the holistic and wellness industry that sells you detoxes for…

Also most microplastics in the environment are from rubber tires grinding away on road surfaces so the food packaging stuff is a little forest for the trees imo.

Re: FDA denies petition against use of phthalates in food packaging

#32
post #3

I'm about to replace my carpet and linoleum floor with 8mm "vinyl planks" that are 80% PVC. So since I'll be scuffing the floor and breathing the emissions most of the day for up to the rest of my life, it's at least a little encouraging that the FDA doesn't find a basis to ban it in food packaging. It's not that I trust the FDA, but more that I can't really afford hardwood or tile, so it's what I want to hear.

I know it's the lesser of two evils but I'd rather have quality vinyl off-gassing PVC than carpet emitting PFAS and trapping dirt.

Re: FDA denies petition against use of phthalates in food packaging

#33
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

When the packaging rubs off against the food, particulates from the packaging mix into the food.

I do think this is heavily overblown to get more research grants financed.

I think the onus on proving safety should be on the people selling products, not on some third party to prove that those products are dangerous.

Otherwise, we get vendors poisoning us for decades, and then whoopsie-daisies pleading ignorance. And even when they get held accountable (almost never), the value that remains in the vendor is insufficient to compensate for the damage inflicted on us.

Heads I lose, tails they win.

Re: FDA denies petition against use of phthalates in food packaging

#34
My personal experience is that food is overpackaged. I find a lot of produce are unnecessarily bagged in plastic containers (mushrooms, cucumbers, corn, asparagus, berries etc. in my local grocery store). I always feel weird not just about low quality plastic films touching the food, but also that I am constantly throwing out plastic that cannot be recycled.

Re: FDA denies petition against use of phthalates in food packaging

#35
post #10

Did the petitioners try not to eat the packaging?

When the packaging rubs off against the food, particulates from the packaging mix into the food.

Oh shit a few hundred molecules worth! We are surely doomed.

Re: FDA denies petition against use of phthalates in food packaging

#36
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't do it. The dust gets in the air, and also absorbs via the skin while walking. Not only would you be putting your own health at risk, but that of any family members and/or pets too.

Not only would you be putting your own health at risk, but that of any family members and/or pets too. I think his point is that the FDA finds that there is no evidence to support this claim. What evidence do you have that this claim is true?

The FDA only cares about outright, immediately dangerous things. See how long they delayed with asbestos and thalidomide. Over long time frames, you are on your own

Re: FDA denies petition against use of phthalates in food packaging

#37
post #3

I'm about to replace my carpet and linoleum floor with 8mm "vinyl planks" that are 80% PVC. So since I'll be scuffing the floor and breathing the emissions most of the day for up to the rest of my life, it's at least a little encouraging that the FDA doesn't find a basis to ban it in food packaging. It's not that I trust the FDA, but more that I can't really afford hardwood or tile, so it's what I want to hear.

If it’s any consolation, even old wood floors will typically shed plastic particles when worn as they get refinished/sealed with polyurethane. Some really old school folks will use boiled linseed oil, which isn’t a man made plastic - but does polymerize into a type of plastic when it dries.

Re: FDA denies petition against use of phthalates in food packaging

#38
post #14

Feels like this is going to become one of those things we look back on in retrospect and regret. We should be full steam ahead on identifying what effects microplastics & phthalates more broadly are having on our health & adjust accordingly. Early indications seem... not great.

[flagged]

A teaspoon of dihydrogen monoxide can kill you and it covers the entire earth. It is probably in your bathroom and kitchen right now.

Re: FDA denies petition against use of phthalates in food packaging

#39
post #3

I'm about to replace my carpet and linoleum floor with 8mm "vinyl planks" that are 80% PVC. So since I'll be scuffing the floor and breathing the emissions most of the day for up to the rest of my life, it's at least a little encouraging that the FDA doesn't find a basis to ban it in food packaging. It's not that I trust the FDA, but more that I can't really afford hardwood or tile, so it's what I want to hear.

I wouldn't do it. The dust gets in the air, and also absorbs via the skin while walking. Not only would you be putting your own health at risk, but that of any family members and/or pets too.

Just wait until you hear about tire dust!

Re: FDA denies petition against use of phthalates in food packaging

#40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think more people would get significant benefit from using sun block daily then obsessing over minutiae like this.

[flagged]

That is not the correct label for this argument. The argument is that there are a limited amount of hours in the day and that there are different amounts of risk. The optimal amount of risk is probably not zero.
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