Fast-food food often also includes industrial chemicals

Chemicals enter our food from production
Have you eaten fast food in the last 24 hours? If so, then the level of industrial chemicals in your body is now elevated. So-called phthalates are normally used to make plastics more flexible and durable. But they also seem to be often included in fast food. This could be related to packaging or processing.

When people eat fast food, the level of industrial chemicals in our bodies increases, according to scientists from George Washington University's Milken Institute School of Public Health analyzing data from a federal nutrition survey. Such people have an elevated level of chemicals called phthalates. The researchers published the results of their study in the journal "Environmental Health Perspectives".

Fast food often contains industrial chemicals that have gone from production or packaging to our food. (Image: arska n / fotolia.com)

Phthalates can affect the male reproductive system
Phthalates are chemicals that are normally used to make plastics more flexible and durable. These chemicals are not found in nature and are commonly found in cosmetics, soaps, food packaging, flooring, window blinds and other consumer products, say the experts. The US Centers for Disease Control explained that so-called phthalate exposure is widespread in the US population. Although the health effects of these substances are not fully understood, scientists are increasingly warning about the effects on health and development, especially in pregnant women and young children. Research on rats has shown that these chemicals can affect male reproductive organs. There are signs of similar effects in humans, warn the experts.

Physicians examined the data of nearly 9,000 subjects for their study
A significant source of chemicals appears to be machinery responsible for food packaging. Chemicals can pass into our food during this process, warn physicians. It is also believed that another source of phthalates could be workers' gloves. At present, there are few ways to prevent the exposure of phthalates, explains Ami Zota of the George Washington University Milken Institute's School of Public Health. So far, there are not many regulations for these chemicals. Unfortunately, most of the research only happens once the chemicals have been introduced to the market, adds Zota. For their investigation, the physicians had examined nearly 9,000 people who were interviewed between 2003 and 2010. The participants answered detailed questions about what they had eaten in the last 24 hours. In addition, they provided urine samples that were analyzed for byproducts that indicated the presence of certain chemicals, the researchers say. For two of the substances found (DEHP and DiNP), there was a significant link between fast food intake and exposure. When people ate more fast food, the value of phthalates in their urine also increased, Zota explains. The third chemical that has been measured is the so-called bisphenol A or BPA. The chemical is commonly used to line aluminum cans.

Health risks are still difficult to determine
It is difficult to determine what exactly the health risks of phthalates are, says Zota. Phthalates used in commercial products pose no risk to human health at typical levels of exposure, the American Chemistry Council said. However, Japan already banned vinyl gloves in food preparation, out of concern about the contained chemical DEHP. The European Union has also restricted the use of chemicals in food and toys, say the doctors. Some phthalates, including DEHP, have also been regulated in children's toys in the US by a 2008 law.

Avoid food that has gone through long chains of production
People should avoid consuming heavily processed or heavily packaged foods. This includes not only fast food, for example, there are also canned vegetables and organic milk, which are passed through plastic pipes and thus have the same chemical risks, warns Zota. Thus, not only unhealthy foods contain unhealthy chemicals. It is best to try to eat fresh vegetables that have not gone through a long production chain before, adds the expert. (As)