Do Ziploc Bags Contain PFAS? (Be Careful Where to Put Your Food)

How Many Ziploc Bags Are Used Each Year?

According to the Guardian, each year, approximately 500 billion plastic bags are used worldwide. This means that every man, woman, and child on our planet uses about 83 plastic bags annually [1]. That’s one bag per person every four and a half days. Of those 500 billion bags, 100 billion are consumed in the United States alone.

What are the Advantages of Ziploc Bags?

Despite contrary beliefs, Ziploc Bags have many ecological advantages over using paper bags. For instance, manufacturing Ziploc Bags creates approximately 50% less greenhouse gas, 80% less waste, and uses 70% less energy than manufacturing paper bags.

Plastic bags are also easier to recycle than paper, as it takes more than 90% less energy to recycle a pound of plastic than it takes to recycle an equal amount of paper. Modern Ziploc Bags are mostly made from natural gas, so when they are recycled, the energy stored in the plastic can be made into new products or recovered.

Related Article: PFAS Exposure Lawsuit Update

What are the Disadvantages of Ziploc Bags?

For all their advantages, Ziploc Bags also create a number of problems for the environment. Many Ziploc Bags end up in the ocean, where they decompose very slowly, breaking into tiny pieces known as microplastics, which can enter the marine food chain and become incredibly damaging to sea life.

Ziploc Bags that end up in landfills or in the environment take over 1,000 years to decompose. During this time, animals come in contact with the material and are at risk. As the plastic breaks down, microplastics are leached into the soil and water, further contributing to environmental degradation.

Related Article: Can I Test my Drinking Water for PFAS?

What are the Health Risks of Ziploc Bags?

Although Ziploc Bags do not contain toxic PFAS (also known as forever chemicals), they do contain many synthetic chemical additives, most of which remain unknown or understudied. These additives in plastic food-storage bags are part of the broader concern regarding food packaging material. Meanwhile, many of the chemical additives in plastic food-storage bags for which scientific information is available are known to be toxic.

Recent studies have identified many health risks associated with plastic additives such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which have been linked to infertility, obesity, diabetes, prostate or breast cancer, cognitive impairment, and neurodevelopmental disorders. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to assess the impact of these chemicals in various food packaging materials, particularly regarding the presence of toxic PFAS and other forever chemicals.

Can Ziploc Bags be Recycled?

According to SC Johnson, Ziploc Bags can be recycled [2]. However, most curbside recycling programs do not accept plastic bags, so they need to be dropped off at grocery stores or other retailers with specific plastic bag recycling programs. If you put Ziploc Bags in your curbside recycling bin, they can clog recycling facility machines and actually hinder the recycling process.

FAQs

1. Are There Alternative Food Storage Options That Are PFAS-Free?

Yes, PFAS-free alternatives include glass containers, stainless steel, and silicone bags. These options avoid PFAS and are safer for storing food without chemical contamination.

2. What Are the Health Risks Associated With PFAS in Food Storage Bags?

PFAS exposure can lead to health risks such as cancer, liver damage, immune system issues, and developmental problems. PFAS in food storage bags can contribute to long-term health concerns.

3. How Do Manufacturers Ensure Their Products Are Free From PFAS?

Manufacturers ensure PFAS-free products by testing materials, using safer alternatives and complying with regulations. They also seek third-party certifications to verify their products are free from harmful chemicals.

4. What Are Food Contact Materials and Why Are They Important?

Food contact materials are materials intended to come into direct contact with food, such as packaging, containers, and utensils. These materials are crucial because they need to be made from safe food contact substances that do not transfer harmful chemicals to the food they touch.

5. How Are Food Contact Substances Regulated in Food Contact Materials?

Food contact substances are regulated by food safety authorities to ensure they are safe for use in food contact materials. These regulations are in place to prevent harmful substances from migrating into food, thereby protecting consumer health.

6. What Are the Best Practices for Storing Aqueous and Acidic Foods in Plastic Storage Bags?

When storing aqueous and acidic foods in plastic storage bags, it’s recommended to use bags specifically designed for food storage to avoid any chemical leaching. Additionally, try to limit the storage duration and keep the bags in a cool, dry place to maintain the quality of the food.

7. How Do Plastic Storage Bags Affect the Quality of Target Food Samples?

The quality of target food samples stored in plastic storage bags can be influenced by the bag’s material. If the plastic is not food-safe or designed for certain types of foods, there might be a risk of contamination, especially with aqueous and acidic foods, which could alter the integrity of the target food samples.

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See all related product liability lawsuits our lawyers covered so far.

Get a Free Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Product Liability Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new legal challenges in all 50 states.

If you or a loved one was injured by PFAS contamination, you should contact our law firm immediately for a free case evaluation. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and we can help.

References:

1. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/14/plastic-sandwich-bags-pfas-chemicals
2. https://www.scjohnson.com/en/press-releases/2017/may/sc-johnson-finds-way-to-recycle-ziploc-brand-bags-from-curbside-bins-step-toward-increasing-recyclin