Chemicals that may cause cancer "widespread" in packaged products like Cheerios
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CrystalRaindrops — 2 years ago(February 04, 2024 07:58 AM)
'Tis:
If you take a look around your kitchen, you’ll likely see a variety of foods you love to eat. Many of those foods probably include chemicals that are banned in other countries due to health concerns.
Some companies even make two versions of their products—one without these additives that are sold in Europe and another with additives that are sold in the United States.
Scott Faber works with the Environmental Working Group (EWG) to track the use of food additives worldwide.
“Many of the chemicals that are in your food, if they have been reviewed by the FDA, have not been reviewed for 40 or 50 years,” Faber said “As you can imagine, there’s been a lot of scientific developments and changes in how we use these chemicals.”
The Federal Drug Administration has not reviewed those ingredients because, in 1966, it deemed hundreds of additives as ‘Generally Recognized As Safe’ or GRAS. The “GRAS list” keeps growing and now there are about a thousand. The EWG highlighted the most common additives on the GRAS list that are banned in other countries.
Brominated vegetable oil
It’s found in some citrus-flavored sodas and fruity drinks. Multiple peer-reviewed studies found the chemical causes neurological problems and increases fat and cholesterol in the heart and liver.
Propylparaben
It’s a preservative used in pastries and some tortillas, but a study by Harvard University found it causes developmental and reproductive harm.
Potassium bromate
It is often found in bread, rolls, and flour tortillas. It is banned in most countries around the world except for Japan and the United States. The International Agency for Research on Cancer determined it a possible human carcinogen, linked to cancer of the thyroid, kidneys, and other organs.
Titanium dioxide
It is a color additive used in salad dressings, coffee creamer, and candy. Two years ago, the European Food Safety Authority ruled it can no longer be considered safe, sighting studies that it can damage your DNA.
The Environmental Working Group has an easy search function on its website (
https://www.ewg.org/foodscores/
) It gives each product a rating from 1 to 10, ten being the highest concern. The number is based on nutrition, ingredients, and processing. You can click on ingredients and find the exact chemicals in the product.
There's a long statement from the FDA in the article if you want to read it. Sample:
Regulatory authorities across the globe have different legal authorities and regulatory programs. It is not uncommon for a substance to be approved in one jurisdiction but not in another. For example, there are color additives that are authorized for use in Europe and elsewhere but are not authorized in the U.S.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/local/youd-be-surprised-groceries-banned-overseas-health-concerns-still-us-store-shelves/H6SPTXG3CFGOHJKSOV3HGVDEHE/ -
CrystalRaindrops — 2 years ago(February 04, 2024 08:02 AM)
California banned some last year:
https://www.filmboards.com/board/p/21201621/permalink/#p21201621
The five food chemicals listed in the ban include propyl paraben, red dye 3, brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, and titanium dioxide. According to CNET, each has been linked to — or cannot be ruled out as — various health hazards including cancer, harm to reproductive health, behavioral issues in children, and harm to the immune system as well. -
ir001 — 2 years ago(February 05, 2024 10:04 AM)
So we should get campaigning for a ban. I have perhaps 20 to 30 years to go and I'd like to have it cancer-free.
I like making slideshow movies, see
https://littlebits3.com
Schrodinger's Cat walks into a bar, and doesn't. 