Your 'Healthy' Pantry Put to the Test: What to Know About Packaging Chemicals

Updated September 2026

You read labels, choose whole foods and stock your pantry with care. But what about the packaging those foods come in? Chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates can move from packaging into food in small amounts. Here's a balanced look at what the evidence says, and some easy swaps if you'd like to reduce your exposure.

BPA in cans and packaging

BPA has been used in the linings of some cans and in some plastics. Small amounts can migrate into food, particularly acidic or fatty foods and when heated.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) says Australian surveys have found very few foods with detectable BPA, and that exposure is low and likely to have fallen further as manufacturers have phased it out.¹ However, in 2023 the European Food Safety Authority re evaluated BPA and substantially lowered its tolerable daily intake,² while other bodies, such as the UK's Committee on Toxicity, have disagreed with how low that limit was set.¹ In other words, regulators don't fully agree, and research is ongoing.

Phthalates and other packaging chemicals

Phthalates are used to make some plastics flexible. In FSANZ's Australian Total Diet Study, most packaging chemicals tested were either not detected or found at low levels, and overall exposure was considered low. Two phthalates were flagged for further investigation.³

What about "natural flavours"?

"Natural flavour" on a label means the flavour comes from a natural source such as a plant or animal, although it may be concentrated or extracted. Flavourings used in Australian food must be permitted under the Food Standards Code. If you'd like to reduce them, the simplest approach is choosing more whole and minimally processed foods.

Easy pantry swaps

• Choose glass jars or cartons for acidic foods such as tomatoes where you can, or look for cans labelled BPA free.
• Don't heat food in plastic. Transfer food to glass or ceramic before microwaving, and avoid putting hot food into plastic containers.
• Store leftovers in glass or stainless steel, especially fatty or acidic foods.
• Cook from whole ingredients more often. Highly processed and packaged foods tend to have more contact with packaging and processing equipment.
• Choose oils you like in glass bottles and store them away from heat and light.

Keep it in perspective

Current evidence suggests Australians' exposure to packaging chemicals is low, and the biggest influences on long term health remain the overall quality of your diet, activity, sleep and not smoking. The swaps above are simple and low cost, so they're an easy way to reduce exposure without worry. You don't need to empty your pantry.

Where Keeper fits: Your liver does the heavy lifting in processing what your body doesn't need. Keeper Daily Reset combines milk thistle, broccoli seed extract, globe artichoke and B vitamins to support liver health. Every batch is third party tested.

References

1. Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Bisphenol A (BPA).
2. EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials. Re evaluation of the risks to public health related to the presence of bisphenol A in foodstuffs. EFSA Journal. 2023.
3. Food Standards Australia New Zealand. FSANZ survey and activities on bisphenol A and packaging chemicals.

This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for advice from your healthcare professional.