Which type of food has the highest plasticizer content? George Washington University warns against eating "hamburger meat". Is even the outer packaging poisonous?
Plasticizer affects food safety and turns into unexploded bombs? George Washington University: Meat has the highest dose
Since the issue of “plasticizers” was exposed, although it has raised awareness of food safety issues, plastic products are ubiquitous. Is it possible that plastic products may still enter the human body through food or various methods and cause health risks after accumulating to a certain dose?
Recent research from George Washington University in the United States has shown that not only the food itself may contain plasticizer ingredients in varying doses, but the production chain in the factory and the plastic ingredients in the food packaging may also seep into the food, causing Severe pollution.
A research team from George Washington University purchased 64 types of meals from well-known fast food restaurants and found 10 potentially harmful chemicals in the food samples, including “Phthalates” (PAEs). It is used to soften plastic and is known to disrupt the endocrine system in the body. The research team also tested 11 plasticizers in food and found the following phenomena:
81% of the food samples contained phthalates and 70% contained DEHP. Many studies have proven that these two chemicals are closely related to the human fertility and reproductive system. These substances may also cause learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, and difficulty concentrating in children.
86% of foods contain dimethyl terephthalate (DEHT), an alternative plasticizer. Further research on this chemical is needed to determine its impact on human health.
Foods containing meat have higher levels of chemical substances detected.
Researchers pointed out that food handling gloves collected from fast food restaurants also contain chemicals such as “terephthalate”.
Lariah Edwards, the study’s lead author, said the research team found that phthalates and other types of plasticizers are widely used in foods from U.S. fast-food chains. It also means that many consumers are exposed to many potentially unhealthy chemicals when they eat. Edworth believes that relevant authorities need to develop stricter regulations to exclude these chemicals from the food supply chain.
Experts who frequently consume fast-food meals: The concentration of plasticizers in the body will increase
There had been no previous studies on the link between fast food and phthalates until a team of researchers led by Ami Zota, a professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health at George Washington University, conducted a national survey. After looking at the consumption of fast food restaurants in the United States, the food safety crisis caused by fast food becomes clear. Research reports show that people who frequently consume fast food will have a higher concentration of phthalates in their bodies.
The research team found that phthalates and other types of alternative plasticizers can enter food through plastic parts. Food gloves, industrial conveyor belts, food conveyor belts, and food packaging boxes are all sources of plastic parts that may contaminate food.
Zota believes that people who are used to cooking at home have significantly lower levels of chemical substances in their bodies. This may be because there is less need to use food gloves or plastic packaging when cooking food at home. Edworth suggested that in order to avoid the use of industrial chemicals, consumers can develop the habit of eating at home, which is usually healthier than fast food.
Healthy food is not easily available in poor areas, which may lead to potential crises
The research team agreed that relevant units need to conduct more stringent review and supervision of chemically processed products related to food. The team believes that although “alternative plasticizers” are gradually replacing harmful chemicals such as phthalates, no research has yet proven that alternative plasticizers are relatively safe, and relevant units still need to strictly control them.
In addition, research has raised concerns that certain racial or ethnic minorities may be more affected by these chemicals. Zota believes that poorer or disadvantaged areas usually have more fast food restaurants, but local residents have relatively limited access to healthy foods (such as vegetables and fruits).
Zota said that there is no research to prove that disadvantaged groups contain more plasticizers in their bodies. In the future, further in-depth discussions and research can be conducted on the correlation between disadvantaged groups and plasticizers.
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