Study Finds Fast Food Contains Industrial Chemicals Called “Plasticizers”
Put a hold on getting that Whopper. A new report claims that ‘plasticizers’ and other industrial chemicals can be found in American fast food. Researchers at George Washington University studied items from several popular fast-food chains from burgers to chicken burritos. They also studied the gloves used to prepare the food.
They found that 81% of the food tested contained the phthalates DnBP and DEHP. Phthalates are chemicals commonly used in food processing and food processing equipment. They help make plastic softer and more malleable. Previously, multiple other studies have linked them to many health problems, including fertility issues.
They also found that 86% of the foods tested contained DEHT, as did the plastic gloves they tested. DEHT is a ‘replacement plasticizer’ with unknown health effects. Companies use ‘replacement plasticizers’ in place of phthalates, which are banned from use in many products. Foods with meat such as cheeseburgers or chicken nuggets contained the highest levels of DEHT. Cheese pizza contained the lowest.
How much fast food do you eat in a week? Will this report affect your eating habits, or will you keep on hitting the drive-thru?
Source: George Washington University
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