Toxic chemicals in food system cost society $2.2 trillion annually in health damages, new report reveals

A groundbreaking new report has put a staggering price tag on the hidden health costs of synthetic chemicals in our food system: $2.2 trillion per year. This astronomical figure—equivalent to the combined annual profits of the world’s 100 largest publicly traded companies—represents the economic burden of diseases and health conditions linked to widespread chemical contamination in agriculture and food production.

Scientists behind the study issued an urgent warning about four major categories of synthetic chemicals that have become integral to modern food systems: phthalates (used in food packaging), bisphenols (found in can linings and plastic containers), pesticides, and PFAS “forever chemicals.” These substances are driving alarming increases in cancer rates, neurodevelopmental disorders, and infertility across populations worldwide, while simultaneously degrading the very agricultural systems they were designed to support.

The research highlights a troubling paradox at the heart of industrial agriculture: the chemicals that boost short-term food production are creating long-term environmental and human health crises that far outweigh their economic benefits. Beyond human health impacts, these synthetic compounds are contaminating soil, water systems, and ecosystems, undermining the foundation of sustainable food production for future generations.

The report’s findings underscore the urgent need for systemic changes in how we produce, package, and distribute food. With health costs reaching such unprecedented levels, the study provides compelling economic evidence that transitioning toward safer, more sustainable food systems isn’t just an environmental imperative—it’s a financial necessity that could save trillions in healthcare costs while protecting both human health and planetary wellbeing.