Most polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film for food packaging sold in the market contains excessive levels of banned plasticizer, which can lead to cancer, according to a report by the International Food Packaging Association on Monday.

Fifteen of the 16 major brands of PVC film sold in the domestic market contain excessive di (2-ethylhexyl) adipate or DEHA, a plasticizer that can leak from PVC film and be absorbed by fat, according to a sample test by the Hong Kong-based association.

PVC is used as a common material for fresh food packaging in China but a national standard to regulate its production is still absent, according to the association.