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Polyvinyl Chloride

Level 4Significant concernsIn Winter's Dictionary

Polyvinyl Chloride is a other — Plastic resin used in food packaging and many consumer products

Also: PVC

What it does

Plastic resin used in food packaging and many consumer products

Where you'll see it

food packaging, plastic wrap, water pipes, plastic toys

What the research says

Plasticizers added to PVC migrate from plastic film/bags into meats and fatty foods directly proportional to length of storage. Can contaminate blood causing lung shock. Has caused tumors in rats when injected under skin.

Regulatory status

  • EU: restricted

Sources

  • A Consumer's Dictionary of Food Additives (Winter): The use of PVC as a plastic wrap for meats is of particular risk... Plasticizers are added to PVC to make it flexible, and they migrate from the plastic film and bags and into the meats