Most of us have heard the health warnings about the dangers of eating too much fast food -- but now it appears even the wrappers are coming to get us.
A new investigation has found "alarming levels" of dangerous chemicals known called PFAS discovered in food packaging at a number of well-known fast-food and fast-casual restaurants and grocery store chains.
According to CNN, PFAS are called "forever chemicals" because they don't break down in the environment, though are often used in food packaging to prevent grease and water from soaking through food wrappers and beverage cups.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calls exposure to PFAS a "public health concern," saying they can harm the immune system and reduce a person's resistance to infectious diseases. Notably, experts say it can leach from the wrapper and onto the food.
A Fox report said "paper bags, molded fiber bowls, and single-use plates had the highest PFAS levels on average from all the food packaging tested."
The CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry also said, "There is evidence from human and animal studies that PFAS exposure may reduce antibody responses to vaccines. More research is needed to understand how PFAS exposure may affect illness from COVID-19."