Did You Know Pizza Boxes Contain Harmful Chemicals?

Companies that manufacture pizza boxes are using dangerous chemicals, and Governor Andrew Cuomo is not having it. On Thursday he signed legislation that would levy large fines against manufacturers who put our safety at risk.

Companies use harmful chemicals in the production of food packaging materials. The chemicals are currently used when manufacturers produce food packaging items like pizza boxes and fast-food containers.

Governor Cuomo signed legislation that would ban the use of harmful polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, better known as PFAS, in food packaging.

The chemicals can be very harmful to the human body. They can weaken the immune system, and they can cause cancer and kidney disease. Another harmful health condition caused by PFAS is a decrease in infertility.

In addition to causing health problems, the harmful chemicals are virtually indestructible, that’s why they are called the “forever chemicals”. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention warn that any level of consumption of these chemicals can be harmful to human beings.

Senator Brad Hoylman says, “Today, New York joins Washington State and Maine in passing strong protections against cancer-causing PFAS chemicals in food packaging, such as pizza boxes and fast food containers.”

If companies are caught violating the new legislation, they could receive hefty fines; the first offense would cost the company $10,000 with violations after that reaching up to $25,000.

As consumers, we must be diligent in making sure that we know what we are putting into our bodies. It’s not only up to the government to pass laws to keep us safe, we must also be our own advocates. We are responsible for making sure that the products that we consume are good for our health.

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