A study by the Food Packaging Forum found 175 chemicals linked to cancer and fertility problems

MailOnline

By Lizzie Parry

Published: 07:58 GMT, 8 July 2014 | Updated: 14:22 GMT, 8 July 2014

Warning over 175 dangerous chemicals found in food packaging: Substances are linked to cancer, fertility and birth defects

• Food Packaging Forum discovered 175 dangerous chemicals in packaging
• Toxic substances linked to cancer, sperm production, genital malformations as well as disrupting hormone production in the body
• Warned chemicals could end up in the food the packaging contains
• Experts call for tighter regulation of food packaging to ban substances
• Chemicals found in foil, cans and some containers and wrappers
• But Food Standards Agency said all food packaging falls within EU rules
• Said chemicals are of 'no concern if used within prescribed limits'

They warned the toxic substances, which were found to cause cancer and inflict changes on genes, could end up in the food they contain. But the Food Standards Agency moved to reassure consumers, explaining all food packaging falls within European standards and the presence of the chemicals are of no concern if they are used within the 'limits or restrictions' set for their use.

The study, published in the journal Food Additives and Contaminants, discovered around 175 chemicals with varying affects. They found the substances interfered with sperm production, caused genital malformations and disrupted hormone production in the body.

Doctor Jane Muncke, managing director of the Food Packaging Forum, which conducted the study, said: 'From a consumer perspective, it is certainly undesirable and also unexpected to find chemicals of concern being intentionally used in food contact materials.'

The list of chemicals found in the packaging, includes those that accumulate in the environment and the human body can be viewed are the following . . ………. Read more or Follow Dailmail at: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook