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Senate committee hears evidence on testing orthophthalates in packaged food (SF188)
Summary
An informational hearing on Senate File 188 explored requiring Minnesota food manufacturers to test packaged foods for ortho‑phthalates and publish results. Supporters cited Consumer Reports findings of phthalates in most tested foods; industry witnesses warned of scientific and implementation questions.
Senate File 188, a bill that would require food manufacturers and brand owners to test packaged foods for ortho‑phthalates every two years and post results online, received an informational hearing April 21 before the Minnesota Senate Committee on Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development.
Senator Sarah Gustafson introduced the topic and framed the hearing as educational; no action was taken. Michael Hansen, senior scientist at Consumer Reports, told the committee the organization "strongly support[s] Senate File 188" and summarized Consumer Reports' January 2024 study in which staff tested 85 packaged foods for 10 ortho‑phthalates and "found ortho‑phthalates in 84 of the 85 items we tested." Hansen said some products had levels “above which research has linked to health problems,” and that public reporting would let consumers make informed…
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