Toxic Chemicals in Global Food System Causing $3 Trillion a Year in Health and Environmental Costs – New Report

A failure to regulate four groups of toxic chemicals widely used across the global food system is costing between $1.4–2.2 trillion in annual healthcare costs (2-3 % of global GDP), plus at least 0.6 trillion more in environmental damages, a new report revealed today.

Invisible Ingredients: Tackling Toxic Chemicals in the Food System, from systems change advisory Systemiq funded by the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment – presents the most comprehensive global assessment to date of the combined health, environmental and economic impacts of phthalates, bisphenols, pesticides and PFAS within the global food system. The report reveals that without urgent, strategic phase out, these toxic chemicals will continue to place a growing burden on human health, human fertility, global ecosystems and long-term economic stability.

“This important report presents enormous amount of scientific evidence on the harms of toxic chemicals to build a clear case for action. Through case studies, it demonstrates from empirical, real-world experience that regulation works, that reduction of exposure to toxic chemicals is possible, and that exposure reduction prevents disease and saves lives. It shows that consumer chemicals, especially those to which children are intimately exposed, require the same level of regulatory oversight as pharmaceuticals. This report is a wakeup call to policy makers and business leaders,” stated Prof. Philip J. Landrigan MD, Director of the Institute for Preventive Health and Professor of Global Public Health and Director, Global Observatory on Planetary Health at Boston College.