Beware of excessive intake of packaged foods!
Environmental scientists have warned regarding the harmful effects of long-term use of packaged and processed foods in a commentary in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
According to the commentary, the total number of known chemical agents used all over the world in food contact materials (FCMs) is greater than 4,000. Over a period of time these chemicals get leached into foods and can have harmful effects on health. Although these chemicals are authorized and regulated in the food and packaging industry, people who eat these foods have more chances of exposure to low levels of these substances throughout their lives.
The authors claim that long-term impact of all the chemicals and their effect on human developmental is not known as of now. But certain toxic agents like formaldehyde that are found in packaged foods like bottled fizzy beverages can be extremely harmful. Formaldehyde is a known cancer causing agent.
Here are some common packaging materials and their known health consequences:
1. Glass: Glass is the most widely used packaging material. But a few types of glass bottles used for storing liquids may contain lead, a potent known neurotoxin known to cause vomiting, poisoning, and liver and kidney damage.
2. Plastic packaging: Plastics are thought to contain bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical linked to several adverse effects on the brain and reproductive health in children.
3. Energy drinks and beer cans: Those thin aluminum and tin cans used to store refreshing beverages contain ortho-phenylphenol, a pesticide that is used kill bacteria and fungus; it is known to be carcinogenic.
4. Packets of juice and milk cartons: These packaging materials are called polyolefins. They are known contain benzophenone, a compound that interferes with reproductive health of women.
The authors also point out that scientific grounds for some of these substances are still debatable but until then consumers remain exposed to these chemicals on a daily basis, unknowingly.
“Since most foods are packaged, and the entire population is likely to be exposed, it is of utmost importance that gaps in knowledge are reliably and rapidly filled,” they urge.
Source: The Health Site
Published: 20 Feb 2014
Category: Education, Health alert
