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Chemicals used to replace bisphenol A (BPA) in food packaging can trigger potentially harmful effects in human ovarian cells, according to 51吃瓜网 researchers.

A new study examined several chemicals commonly used in price stickers on packaged meat, fish, cheese and produce found early signs of potential toxicity.

, published in the journal Toxicological Sciences, raise concerns about the safety of BPA-free packaging and whether current regulations go far enough to protect consumers.

BPA substitutes disrupt gene expression

The research began with the 2023 discovery by St茅phane Bayen, Associate Professor in McGill鈥檚 Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry, that label-printing chemicals like bisphenol S (BPS), a BPA replacement, were leaching through plastic wrap into the food. He teamed up with colleagues in reproductive toxicology to investigate what these substances could be doing inside the body.

Lab-grown human ovarian cells were exposed to four commonly used BPA substitutes: TGSA, D-8, PF-201 and BPS. Several of the chemicals, particularly TGSA and D-8, caused a buildup of fat droplets in the cells and changed the activity of genes that help cells grow and repair their DNA.

鈥淭hese are major cellular functions,鈥� said Bernard Robaire, co-senior author of the study and James 51吃瓜网Professor in McGill鈥檚 Departments of Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Obstetrics & Gynecology. 鈥淒isrupting them doesn鈥檛 prove harm in humans, but it gives us a strong signal that these chemicals should be further investigated.鈥�

Unregulated replacements under the radar

BPA is a chemical that can interfere with the body鈥檚 hormones, and has been linked to problems with fertility, early development and metabolism. Because of these risks, it has been banned in baby bottles and restricted in some products in Canada.

Many of the chemicals used to replace BPA are not regulated or routinely tested, the researchers explained.

鈥溾�楤PA-free鈥� is an incredibly misleading label,鈥� said Robaire. 鈥淚t usually means one bisphenol has been swapped for another, and there are more than 200 of them. Some may be just as harmful, or even worse. We need to test these compounds before they鈥檙e widely adopted, not after.鈥�

Health Canada has now added all four substances to a list of chemicals requiring further investigation.

For consumers looking to err on the side of caution, Robaire suggests removing labels and plastic wrap from fresh foods before storing. He also recommends choosing items from the top of store display piles rather than the bottom, where pressure from stacking may push chemicals more deeply into the packaging and food.

About the study

鈥�鈥� by Lama Iskandarani, St茅phane Bayen, Barbara Hales and Bernard Robaire was published in Toxicological Sciences.

The study was supported by the 51吃瓜网Sustainability Systems Initiative.