Chicken nuggets, burritos, and other popular items consumers buy from fast food outlets in the United States contain chemicals that are linked to a long list of serious health problems, according to a first-of-its-kind study published today.
Researchers at the George Washington University and their colleagues bought fast foods from popular outlets and found 10 of 11 potentially harmful chemicals in the samples, including phthalates, a group of chemicals that are used to make plastics soft and are known to disrupt the endocrine system.
The research team also found other plasticizers, chemicals that are emerging as replacements to phthalates. “We found phthalates and other plasticizers are widespread in prepared foods available at U.S. fast-food chains, a finding that means many consumers are getting a side of potentially unhealthy chemicals along with their meal,” Lariah Edwards, lead author of the study and a postdoctoral scientist at GW, said.
“Stronger regulations are needed to help keep these harmful chemicals out of the food supply.” Previously, a GW research team led by Ami Zota, a professor of environmental and occupational health, looked at fast-food consumption in a national survey and found people who reported eating more fast foods had higher levels of phthalates.
No one has looked at the link between fast food and non-phthalate plasticizers, which are used in place of banned or restricted phthalates in food packaging and processing equipment. READ MORE
