Will polystyrene cancer concerns prompt brands to change?

Will polystyrene cancer concerns prompt brands to change?


The National Research Council has affirmed that styrene, often used in food packaging and foam coffee cups, is linked to cancer. Whats the industrys reaction?

Polystyrene foam packaging has been a topic of environmental debate for decades, and several international brands have made moves to phase it out. This slow trend may have been accelerated last month when the National Research Council (NRC) affirmed the National Toxicology Programs 2011 finding that the organic compound styrene can reasonably be anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

In terms of consumer hazards, the biggest styrene concern is with food packaging, as studies have shown that this substance can leech out of polystyrene takeout food and drink containers, says Mike Schade of Safer Chemicals. If you drink coffee or soup or eat Chinese food from a polystyrene foam container you can potentially be exposed to this chemical, which government agencies consider reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.

We remain committed to finding a long-term alternative to Dunkin Donuts foam cup that meets our guests expectations, is affordable for our franchisees and reduces our environmental impacts. Guardian

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