Food packaging chemicals have harmful health effects in the long term but scientists remain unsure of the extent of the damage caused, a new study finds.

Time and again, the harmful health effects of chemicals related to food packaging have been highlighted. Findings of a new study state that the synthetic chemicals used while processing, storing and packaging food are not inert and can leach into the foods we eat. This leads to long term health issues.

Authors of the study revealed that even though some of these chemicals are regulated, people who eat packaged or processed foods are likely to be chronically exposed to low levels of these substances throughout their lives.

The study likened the issue of food packaging chemicals to that of air pollution, though the exact effects of these chemicals are unknown. The main issue highlighted is that because so little is known about the extent of this harmful health effect, processed food could be doing more harm to our health than we realize.

Prolonged exposure to food contact materials or FCMs that are used during the processing, storing and packaging food is a serious cause for concern for several reasons.

Toxicants like formaldehyde; a chemical known to cause cancer is legally used in processing and packing materials. The substance is present in low levels in plastic bottles used for fizzy drinks and melamine tableware. Chemicals like bisphenol A, tributyltin, triclosan, and phthalates, which are known to disrupt hormone production, are also found in FCMs.

Researchers noted that the total number of known chemical substances used intentionally in FCMs exceeds 4000.

What's even more concerning is that eating habits have changed dramatically in the last couple of decades. Shelves are full of drinks and ready meals, which are packed and microwaved in plastics. This calls for the need to ensure that all processed food and drinks are safe for consumption.

"No doubt many with industry connections would rather not see this research in print, Express.uk quoted Gwynne Lyons, of pressure group CHEM Trust as saying. "But surely it is time for better testing so that we can eliminate those substances that can derail our hormone systems and which are suggested to play a role in many diseases?"

The study noted that unfortunately not all potential cellular changes caused by FCMs are considered during routine toxicology analysis.

"Since most foods are packaged, and the entire population is likely to be exposed, it is of utmost importance that gaps in knowledge are reliably and rapidly filled," the authors said in a statement.

Though the scientists did call for action, the problem is that since virtually all foods are packaged and nearly everyone is exposed to these food packaging chemicals to some degree, it will be difficult to find any definitive links between the FCM's and illnesses such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes.

According to the CDC, there are currently 200 known food-borne illnesses and diseases, most of which come from processed and package food. These diseases are responsible for 76 million cases of ailment. Food borne diseases are responsible for more than 325,000 hospitalizations per year and more than 5,000 deaths a year. Salmonella, Listeria, Toxoplasma and other known pathogens are responsible for 1,500 deaths a year.

The findings of the study were published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.