Friend — Your fast food burger wrapper may be hiding a toxic secret.
Testing has found that many food packaging items harbor toxic chemicals called PFAS. These chemicals could be migrating into your food, putting your health and the health of your family at risk. And on top of that, they can also pollute the communities where the chemicals and packaging are made. And once the packaging is thrown away, these chemicals can spread to the communities where the trash is eventually dumped or burned.
PFAS chemicals are dangerous. They've been linked to increased risk for certain cancers, immune system suppression, and reduced birth weight. And low-wealth communities and communities of color — who are more likely to have waste sites nextdoor due to decades-long power imbalances and systemic racism — are disproportionately affected by contaminated trash.
This has to stop. Now. The public turned up the heat on McDonald's and other fast food restaurants until they agreed to stop using PFAS chemicals in their food packaging. Today, we're working together to make sure their competitor Burger King gets the message — testing has found PFAS chemicals are likely being used in packaging for Burger King's Whopper.
Will you sign now and help fight for cleaner, healthier communities?
Burger King sells more than 2 million Whoppers a day.
That's more than 2 million wrappers likely made with toxic chemicals being dumped into communities, polluting their water and threatening their health.
PFAS chemicals are completely unnecessary. Other restaurants are already eliminating their use. This isn't a change that's out of reach for Burger King, it's just a change they've been slow to fully make, even though it impacts the health of millions.
If we can make the biggest fast-food chains in the world get rid of PFAS chemicals for good, then we can set an example for the rest of the food industry — and build momentum for a nationwide ban.
But we need your help.
Tell Burger King to pass the fries but hold the toxic chemicals: Help us reach our goal of 5,000 signatures by tomorrow.
Your support is critical. By holding these chains accountable, we can get them to eliminate toxic chemicals, move to cleaner packaging, and stop polluting our environment. When enough of us come together, we help build a cleaner, safer future for our communities.
Thank you for taking a stand.
Brooke Still
Senior Director of Digital Strategy
League of Conservation Voters