A new report from the non-profit Consumer Reports reveals plastics lurking in 84 out of 85 popular supermarket staples and fast foods! Cheerios, Gerber baby food, Chipotle chicken burritos, and Burger King Whoppers with cheese, all tested positive for "plasticizers" called phthalates, chemicals meant to make plastic last longer. It also said 79% of food samples in its study contained bisphenol A, also known as BPA, a chemical that leeches from plastic. The only food that tested free of pthalates was Polar Seltzer Raspberry Lime in a can.
Are Pthalates Actually Harmful?
Here's the kicker: experts aren't sure how safe phthalates and BPA are to eat and cannot point to an acceptable level. So, while the amounts found in all of the foods might be "legal," that doesn't mean they're harmless. Phthalates and BPA are known hormone disruptors that potentially boost the risk of birth defects, diabetes, infertility, obesity, and even cancer - not exactly ingredients for a tasty meal.
What Foods Are High In Pthalates?
The foods that tested for the highest amount of phthalates are often consumed by children. Annie's Organic Cheesy Ravioli came in at 53,579 nanograms per serving, followed by Del Monte sliced peaches. Cheerios, Gerber baby food, and Yoplait yogurt also tested positive. Amounts varied wildly even in the same type of foods. Wendy's chicken nuggets had more than four times the amount of plasticizers as chicken nuggets from McDonald's!
How Do Pthalates Get In Our Food?
Packaging plays a significant role in pthalates leeching into our foods. However, other factors to conmsider are plastic in tubing at production plants, conveyor belts, and plastic gloves used during processing. Consumer Reports says it's time for stricter rules and better testing and says a reassessment of the risk of plasticizers by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is "overdue and essential". The silver (or should I say plastic-free) lining? Some food companies are starting to listen, and scientists are researching safer alternatives.
