[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 109 (Thursday, June 28, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S4737]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself and Mr. Blumenthal):
  S. 3155. A bill to ban the use of ortho-phthalate chemicals as food 
contact substances; to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions.
  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Protect 
Our Food From Phthalate Contamination Act. This bill would ban 
chemicals called ortho-phthalates from materials that come in contact 
with our food, because these phthalates have been found to actually 
leach into what we eat.
  Phthalates have been known to interfere with the body's hormones, 
leading to a range of health concerns including reproductive harm. 
These chemicals have also been linked to learning and behavior problems 
in children and insulin resistance in adolescents and adults.
  According to a recent study, individuals who regularly eat out had 30 
percent higher phthalate levels. The findings for teenagers are 
particularly troubling, where testing showed phthalate levels 55 
percent higher than people who ate at home. Enjoying a meal out or 
using packaged food to prepare meals on a busy schedule shouldn't come 
with the cost of chemical exposure that can cause harm.
  We've already banned certain phthalates from children's toys due to 
serious health concerns, and now we need to remove the exposure through 
the food we eat. Phthalates can be found throughout the food supply 
chain, from the plastic gloves worn to handle food to the containers 
and wrappings used for packaging.
  This legislation would specifically ban the type of phthalates, 
ortho-phthalates, currently being used in some food production and 
packaging, and require that any substance used as a replacement is also 
safe. The bill would implement the ban over the course of two years, so 
that companies have time to phase out these harmful chemicals.
  This bill is supported by several health and consumer organizations, 
including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Breast Cancer Prevention 
Partners, Earthjustice, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental 
Health Strategy Center, Environmental Working Group, and Safer 
Chemicals, Healthy Families.
  I appreciate the support of my colleague, Senator Blumenthal, who is 
an original cosponsor of the bill. I look forward to working with my 
colleagues on this important issue. Thank you Mr. President and I yield 
the floor.
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