Schumer Urges FDA to Investigate Phthalates in Food Packaging

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) has sent a letter to Scott Gottlieb,
commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
calling for an investigation into the use of phthalates in food and
fast-food packaging. Citing a Journal of American Medicine
Association Pediatrics report, Schumer argues that the health
risks of phthalates are known but FDA has done little to protect
the public.

“Consumers are not giving these everyday packaging products a
second thought,” Schumer said in a July 30, 2017, press release.
“They assume they are safe—and they should be, especially when
their reach extends to millions upon millions of Americans. So,
the FDA must take my order for a fast food packaging
investigation very seriously and take this long-sitting health data
off the backburner.”

Issue 643