Phthalates are a group of chemicals found in a wide range of consumer products including vinyl shower curtains, paint, pesticides, hospital supplies, many different kinds of cosmetics and other personal care products as well as in automobile interiors. Phthalates do not always stay in the products but can be released during normal use. Like many contaminants in consumer products, phthalates have surprised us and their toxicity is still not fully understood. Animal tests reveal a wide range of damaging effects to the developing reproductive system, particularly in male animals, with lifelong effects. The European Union, recently followed by the United States, banned six different phthalates in toys and products intended for children. Canada has plans to ban only one of these phthalates and continues to rely upon outdated science to take no further action.

Although phthalates have been used in food wrap and food packaging, this is generally no longer the case. The exception is plastic marked with the #3 recycling symbol. Containers marked with the #3 symbol will contain phthalates and other plasticizers and should not be used for food use or storage. In other types of plastic, other kinds of chemicals are used as plasticizers which can move into the food. Play it safe and reduce or avoid using such containers for food especially for cooling hot foods or warming food in a microwave.