A foreign research has shown that the hamburger wrapping paper may contain dangerous chemicals, which can harm our health and cause liver tumors. In response to the survey, domestic fast food chains said that the wrappings that they use do not contain such chemicals and consumers don't have to worry about the food safety.

A study in Canada has recently found that the packaging materials commonly used for fast food or microwavable popcorn contain Perfluoroalkyl compounds or PFCs, which may seep into the food and is hazardous to consumer health.

Toxicologists are reminding Taiwanese consumers to be wary of this matter.

According to medical experts, PFC is a chemical substance with thermal stability.

Because it is oil and water resistent, it is often used in carpets, clothes, cardboard boxes, packaging, and non-stick pans.

Past studies conducted on animals show that, accumulated over time in the liver, this environmental hormone will induce liver tumors and infertility in mice.

The question now is how high is the likelihood that the chemical will seep into packaged foods.

Although Taiwanese fast food chains say that packaging materials meet health regulations, they have switched over to normal paper packaging to ease consumer concerns.

The Department of Health will conduct further research into the matter to see whether the issue is a cause for concern and new packaging control regulations.