A new report by the Toxic Free Food Campaign in partnership with Ecology Center Healthy Stuff Lab entitled “Capped With Toxics,” found toxic ortho-phthalates in bottle caps of more than one-third of the 141 beverage brands tested. Market leaders are switching to safer bottle caps, but many brands lag behind. Prior research has linked ongoing exposure to phthalates during pregnancy and early childhood to reduced fertility and harm to brain development. Plus, women, children and people of color face higher exposure and greater susceptibility to phthalates.

            Jeff Gearhart, research director at the Ecology Center, says, “There are safer alternatives, and we hope that manufacturers will make the healthy choice and remove harmful chemicals from their products.” Studies have shown that phthalates can migrate from the plastic cap liners into food and beverages that are packed in glass. The chemicals may also leave a residue on the rim of the bottle which can be consumed. When discarded, the bottle caps can also pollute the environment.

            Major brands have since switched to phthalate-free bottle caps include Brew Dr Kombucha, Whole Foods Market (sparkling mineral water), Keurig, Dr Pepper (IBC and Stewart’s root beer, Snapple tea, Nantucket Nectar juice), and Maine Root (craft soda). Phthalate-free and vinyl-free caps are widely available. “No bottled beverage should be capped with toxic plastic chemicals,” says Brandon Moore, national campaign director at Defend Our Health. “Now it’s time for market laggards like Martinelli’s to end its use of toxic bottle caps on its sparkling beverages.”

      The nonprofit Ecology Center is an environmental advocacy organization established in 1970 in Ann Arbor to develop innovative solutions for healthy people and a healthy planet.

To sign a petition calling for Martinelli’s to stop the risk of exposing their consumers to toxic chemicals, visit ToxicFreeDrink.org. Read the report at EcoCenter.org/healthy-stuff/reports/capped-toxics.