Most PVC food packaging contains excess plasticizer

Most polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film for food packaging sold in the market contains excessive levels of banned plasticizer, which can lead to cancer, according to a report by the International Food Packaging Association on Monday.

Fifteen of the 16 major brands of PVC film sold in the domestic market contain excessive di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate or DEHA, a plasticizer that can leak from PVC film and be absorbed by fat, according to a sample test by the Hong Kong-based association.

PVC is used as a common material for fresh food packaging in China but a national standard to regulate its production is still absent, according to the association.