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Pizzas may not be the healthiest of the foods but eating them out of delivery boxes makes them unhealthier, an FDA ban indicates.

Fox News reports that the food regulator banned three types of perfluoroalkyl ethyl (PFA), chemicals that allow boxes to soak up oil without becoming soggy. The ban comes on the heels of concerns that these chemicals remain in the body for years and can be harmful.

According to Quartz, it is not exactly known what harm these banned chemicals cause. Consequently, the ban is seen as preventive given that concerns abound over the safety of these chemicals. Other chemicals related to PFAs called perfluorooctanoic acids have been linked to life-threatening problems for pregnant women including preeclampsia and thyroid disease. These chemicals were earlier used in kitchenware to make non-sticky surfaces but later discontinued by several organizations.

"FDA says new data is available that shows the toxicity of substances structurally similar to these compounds that demonstrate there is no longer a reasonable certainty of no harm from the food-contact use of these FCSs," wrote Food Safety News which broke the news of the ban.

The ban, which was announced last week, will take 30 days to come into effect during which objections to it can be made.