Chemicals migrating from food packaging into your dinner

Every time you store leftovers in plastic or eat from paper-based packaging, you are likely consuming a cocktail of additives. A 2026 study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials identified 114 different chemicals migrating from food packaging into food.

Researchers tested 16 common plastic and paper materials. They found tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphate—a stabilizer used in plastics—in 100% of the samples. These aren't just trace amounts. These are plasticizers and non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) that are leaching directly into what you eat.

You cannot control what manufacturers put in their packaging, but you can control what you use in your own home. Stop relying on plastic containers and coated paper products for your daily meals. It is time to switch to inert materials like glass, stainless steel, or solid wood. Check out our non-toxic kitchen alternatives to replace the plastic gear currently leaching chemicals into your family's food.

Source: Koronaiou LA, Abrahamsson D, Yang J, Daktylidi L, Lambropoulou DA (2026). J Hazard Mater.