Study: Ingredient found in salad bowls and burger wrappers less safe than previously thought
A compostable salad bowl seems like an Earth-friendly way to enjoy a healthy lunch. But the toxic chemicals used in containers like molded-fiber salad bowls, sandwich wrappers, and French fry pouches may be leaching into food despite efforts to make those materials safer, according to the results of a study published in March in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
The presence of “forever chemicals” in materials used to contain or carry food is far from new. Various formulations of compounds called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are used in materials like pizza boxes, popcorn bags, and paper straws because they’re both water-proof and oil-proof. That means they’re perfect for keeping fake butter or salad dressing from seeping out of microwave popcorn packets and takeout salad bowls, as well as for maintaining structural integrity while protecting a steaming, cheesy pizza.
