{"hq_id":"hq-p-fod-000004","name":"Plastic cling wrap / food film","category":{"primary":"food_contact","secondary":"packaging film","tags":["cling wrap","plastic wrap","food film","Saran Wrap","PVC wrap","food storage film","PVDC"]},"product_tier":"FOD","overall_risk_level":"high","description":"Thin, flexible plastic film used to cover food, wrap sandwiches, and seal containers. Three main chemistries are used: PVC (polyvinyl chloride, with phthalate plasticizers — still common in commercial foodservice), PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride — low oxygen permeability), and LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene — now dominant in US consumer market). The hazard profile differs substantially between these types. Consumer products in the US shifted largely to LLDPE (e.g., Glad, Reynolds); institutional and imported products may still be PVC-based.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.7,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_infant","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":1.15,"vulnerability_escalated":true,"escalation_reason":"Infant exposure group","compounds_resolved":6,"compounds_total":6,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"pregnant women, children","overall_risk":"high","primary_concerns":["Carcinogenicity concern (high): Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, Vinyl Chloride, Ethylene Phthalate plasticizers (DEHP, DINP) migrate from PVC cling wrap into fatty foods at room temperature; migration is dramatically increased when fatty food is covered and microwaved."],"exposure_routes":"indirect oral (food/drink contact)"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":["oral_indirect"],"users":["adult","child","infant","pregnant"],"duration":"momentary","frequency":"daily","scenarios":["Incidental mouthing or hand-to-mouth transfer by children","Exposure during pregnancy with potential fetal transfer"],"notes":"Exposure is dietary migration. Key risk scenarios: (1) PVC wrap in direct contact with fatty deli foods (cheese, cold cuts) during storage; (2) microwaving food covered with any plastic wrap — both PVC and PE. Even LLDPE wraps can release low levels of additives when microwaved. FDA recommends leaving a gap between food and plastic wrap when microwaving."},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":[{"indicator":"Plastic wrap labeled 'PVC' or resin code #3","meaning":"PVC wrap contains phthalate plasticizers. Prolonged contact with fatty foods causes measurable DEHP migration even at room temperature.","action":"Replace with LLDPE-based wrap (check label: Glad, Reynolds brands use LLDPE in the US)."},{"indicator":"Using any plastic wrap in the microwave in direct food contact","meaning":"All plastic wraps — including LLDPE — are not designed for direct food contact during microwaving. Steam and fat accelerate migration.","action":"Use a microwave-safe lid or paper towel to cover food. FDA recommends leaving a gap between food and any plastic wrap in the microwave."},{"indicator":"Pre-wrapped supermarket meats and cheese in tight PVC film","meaning":"Commercial delis and supermarkets commonly use PVC cling wrap, including in markets where retail PVC wrap is restricted. High-fat foods (cheese, processed meat) in prolonged contact with PVC wrap have measurable DEHP.","action":"Rewrap purchased deli items in LLDPE wrap or transfer to glass containers for storage."}],"green_flags":[{"indicator":"'PVC-free' or 'LLDPE' labeling on the package","meaning":"Indicates polyethylene-based wrap without phthalate plasticizers.","verification":"Check the label. Glad ClingWrap and Reynolds Kitchens plastic wrap are LLDPE in the US market."}],"what_to_ask":[{"question":"Is this plastic wrap PVC or polyethylene?","why_it_matters":"The two chemistries have very different hazard profiles. Polyethylene (LLDPE) is the safer choice; PVC requires plasticizers that migrate into fatty foods.","good_answer":"'LLDPE' or 'polyethylene' stated on label. Resin code #4 on packaging.","bad_answer":"No polymer identification; generic 'cling wrap' without material specification."}],"alternatives":[{"name":"Glass or ceramic containers with lids","notes":"Reusable, non-toxic, heat-safe, no chemical leaching risk"},{"name":"Silicone stretch lids","notes":"Reusable, food-grade, no plastic wrap chemicals, dishwasher safe"},{"name":"Beeswax wraps","notes":"Natural, biodegradable, washable, chemical-free alternative"}],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"EU","regulation":"EU Regulation 10/2011 — DEHP banned in food contact plastics","citation":null,"requirements":"DEHP, DBP, and BBP are banned as plasticizers in food contact PVC in the EU. PVC food wrap sold in the EU must use alternative plasticizers (DINP, DIDP) within regulated limits.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":"src_003"},{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"FDA 21 CFR 175–177 — food contact polymer regulations","citation":null,"requirements":"Specific plasticizers are permitted in food-contact PVC at specified migration limits. No ban on DEHP in US food contact applications (though CPSC restricts DEHP in children's toys).","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":null,"enforcing_agency":null,"penalties":null,"source_ref":"src_004"}],"certifications":[{"name":"FDA 21 CFR","issuer":"FDA","standard":"21 CFR Parts 170-199","scope":"Food contact substances, indirect food additives, migration limits"},{"name":"EU 10/2011","issuer":"European Commission","standard":"Regulation (EU) No 10/2011","scope":"Plastic materials intended to come into contact with food"},{"name":"NSF/ANSI 51","issuer":"NSF International","standard":"NSF/ANSI 51 Food Equipment Materials","scope":"Materials used in commercial food equipment"}],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":true,"disposal_guidance":"Recycle by resin code if marked; check local program; food-soiled items may not be accepted","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"1-3_years"},"formulation":{"form":"film","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000686","name":"PVDC or PVC or LLDPE resin","role":"base_material","concentration_pct":"85-95"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-ino-000107","name":"Plasticizer (DEHA/DOA)","role":"plasticizer","concentration_pct":"5-15"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-mix-000014","name":"Heat stabilizer","role":"stabilizer","concentration_pct":"1-3"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[{"material_id":"hq-m-str-000004","material_name":"Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) / LLDPE","component":"film","prevalence":"very_common","notes":"The dominant chemistry for US consumer cling wrap since the 2000s (Glad ClingWrap, Reynolds Wrap plastic film). LLDPE contains no phthalate plasticizers and no VCM residual. Lower migration concern than PVC alternatives. Still produces microplastic fragments if torn or shredded."},{"material_id":"hq-m-str-000026","material_name":"PVC/PVDC cling wrap","component":"film (commercial foodservice and imported)","prevalence":"common","notes":"PVC cling wrap requires phthalate plasticizers (DEHP, DINP, DIDP) to achieve flexibility. Widely used in commercial delis, supermarket meat wrapping, and imported product lines. PVDC (Saran brand) has better oxygen barrier properties and lower plasticizer load than PVC. Planned: hq-m-str-000026."}],"concerning":[{"material_id":"hq-m-str-000026","material_name":"PVC/PVDC cling wrap","concern":"Phthalate plasticizers (DEHP, DINP) migrate from PVC cling wrap into fatty foods at room temperature; migration is dramatically increased when fatty food is covered and microwaved. EU has banned DEHP in food contact materials; PVC cling wrap for retail sale in EU must use alternative plasticizers.","compounds_of_concern":["hq-c-org-000007","hq-c-org-000216","hq-c-org-000008"],"source_refs":["src_001","src_002"]}],"preferred":[{"material_id":"hq-m-str-000004","material_name":"LLDPE / LDPE wrap","why_preferred":"No phthalate plasticizers; no VCM; lowest documented migration risk for food-contact film. Check the label — US brands Glad and Reynolds use LLDPE.","tradeoffs":"Slightly lower cling than PVC; single-use; generates plastic waste."},{"material_id":null,"material_name":"Beeswax wraps","why_preferred":"Reusable; no plastic; no migration concern; compostable.","tradeoffs":"Not suitable for raw meat or hot food; limited to about 1 year of use; cannot be microwaved."},{"material_id":null,"material_name":"Silicone stretch lids / silicone bags","why_preferred":"Reusable; no BPA; food-grade silicone is inert at cooking temperatures; no single-use waste.","tradeoffs":"Higher upfront cost; requires washing; silicone quality varies (prefer platinum-cured)."}]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000007","compound_name":"Di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate","role":"compound_of_concern","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000216","compound_name":"Di-isononyl phthalate (DINP)","role":"compound_of_concern","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000008","compound_name":"Vinyl Chloride","role":"compound_of_concern","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000507","compound_name":"Ethylene","role":"base","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000007","compound_name":"DEHP (di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) — legacy plasticizer","role":"additive","typical_concentration":null},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000008","compound_name":"Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM)","role":"contaminant","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["plastic cling wrap / food film","plastic cling wrap","food film"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand A","manufacturer":"Consumer Products Corporation","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Widely available mass-market option"},{"brand":"Generic Mass-Market Brand B","manufacturer":"Consumer Goods Ltd","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Popular budget alternative"},{"brand":"Premium Brand A","manufacturer":"Premium Consumer Inc","market_position":"premium","notable":"Upscale premium positioning"},{"brand":"Professional Brand","manufacturer":"Professional Products Co","market_position":"professional","notable":"Professional/salon-grade option"},{"brand":"Specialty Eco-Brand","manufacturer":"Natural Products Ltd","market_position":"premium","notable":"Sustainable/natural product line"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"id":"src_001","type":"efsa","title":"EFSA — Scientific Opinion on DEHP in food contact materials (2005)","url":"https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2005.243","accessed":"2026-03-08","year":2005,"notes":"EFSA assessment of DEHP migration from PVC food contact materials; documents fatty food migration pathway"},{"id":"src_002","type":"journal","title":"Migration of DEHP from PVC food-contact materials into food simulants and real foods","url":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.03.025","accessed":"2026-03-08","year":2009,"notes":"Systematic study of DEHP migration from PVC cling wrap into fatty food simulants and actual cheese/meat products"},{"id":"src_003","type":"efsa","title":"EU Regulation 10/2011 — Plasticizer migration limits for food contact materials","url":"https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32011R0010","accessed":"2026-03-08","year":2011,"notes":"EU framework for food contact materials including plasticizer restrictions"},{"id":"src_004","type":"fda","title":"FDA: Food Contact Substances: Plasticizers","url":"https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging/packaging-food-contact-substances","accessed":"2026-03-08","year":2020,"notes":"FDA framework for permitted plasticizers in food contact PVC"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-13T22:19:33.383Z"}}