Burger King, McDonald’s and Wendy’s aren’t exactly known for having healthy menus, but it turns out the food isn’t the only thing you have to worry about at the popular fast food restaurants.
Because, according to a Business Insider story, even the packaging is bad for you.
In a story posted to Yahoo News Friday, Business Insider reported that a new study found PFAS – also known as ‘forever chemicals’ because they can “linger in water and air for thousands of years” — in the chains’ food packaging.
PFAS have been linked to cancer, liver damage and other health issues, it reported.
It said chains Sweetgreen, Freshii and Cava also had the chemicals in its packaging.
According to the report, 38 food packaging samples across six chains were tested, and “nearly half” tested positive for fluorine levels that indicate the presence of the chemicals.
And, if you want some really sobering news, the report said most of us are exposed to PFAS through contaminated food or beverages and they “can be found in the bloodstream of 99% of Americans.”
Business Insider said the fry bags at the three big burger joints all likely contained PFAS, according to the study. Also, McDonald’s Big Mac containers “were likely treated with PFAS” as was a sample from a Burger King Whopper wrapper.
All the bowls at the salad places were “found to likely contain PFAS,” it said.
This comes as, according to the report, the FDA is working to phase out the use of the “forever chemicals,” in food packaging.
The report said that CNN reported that Cava, Sweetgreen, Freshii and McDonald’s have all said they are working to rid their packaging of the chemicals.
More: PFAS testing shows elevated levels of toxic chemicals in Pa. drinking water: Where?