Does Your Food Look Like and Taste Like Plastic? Here’s the Reason Why

​Does Your Food Look Like and Taste Like Plastic? Here’s the Reason Why
Have you noticed that your meat is unnaturally rubbery, and your vegetables seem to bend, not break? This is a sign of a serious issue-they're contaminated with phthalates, a problem that's now at epidemic levels. The concerning part? Government regulations are lagging behind the mounting evidence of the health risks these phthalates pose.

What Are Phthalates?
Named the “forever chemical,” phthalates are plasticizers used to create durability, flexibility, transparency, and longevity in products that contaminate our foods. They are used in canned foods, infant foods, packaging, and sealants; they are everywhere. The government regulates a “safe” level, but that safe level does not seem to be consistent with current research on the levels that cause adverse health impacts.

Where Are Phthalates Found?
Foods highest in phthalates are:

• Restaurant and fast food.
• High-fat dairy.
• Fatty meats and poultry.
• Cooking oils.

Consumer’s Report tested 100 foods and found phthalates in almost every food and at high levels. They were in sliced peaches, low-fat yogurt, and even organic products!

What Are the Health Problems Associated with Phthalates?

These eight plasticizers are all endocrine disruptors that have ill effects on reproductive health, childhood development, insulin resistance, the development of high blood pressure, obesity, breast cancer, allergy, asthma, and diabetes.

The FDA has continually denied petitions from other groups to change the levels of plasticizers allowed in food products, even being sued once. However, despite years of protests, petitions, and lawsuits, the FDA refuses to change the levels they have deemed safe despite proof that such levels cause human harm.

Reducing Your Exposure to Plasticizers
Here are some action tips to reduce your level of contamination from forever chemicals.

1. Use reusable containers like a Brita water pitcher and fill water containers instead of using plastic water bottles.
2. Use real silverware instead of plastic.
3. Use aluminum foil rather than plastic wrap.
4. Get your meat from a butcher wrapped in paper.
5. Buy from the farmer’s market.
6. Read labels on cosmetics, and don’t buy those with phthalates in them.
7. Eat less processed, packaged food in plastic wrap.
8. Get rid of plastic toys.
9. Invest in a water filter.
10. Stay away from fragrance.

Summary
It looks like plasticizers are here to stay, so just try to avoid them as much as you can. It is sad that we cannot depend on the FDA to protect us from known contaminants that cause human harm. After all, isn’t that one of their roles?

Comment from Reader
 Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances also known as "Forever Chemicals" are used in many chemical and manufacturing processes. Humans can be exposed to PFAS in the air, food, water, dust, soil, food wrappers, cosmetics and personal care products. PFAS have been associated with serious health effects including cancer, organ damage and endocrine disruption.  
 
Various common foods, including meat, seafood, dairy, grains, and produce, can contain PFAS. Tests on several brands' food packaging have shown elevated PFAS levels. Consuming contaminated foods exposes individuals to potentially harmful levels of these chemicals. Cooking with contaminated water can also be a significant source of  exposure to PFAS in food. Both tap water and some bottled waters have been found to contain potentially dangerous levels of forever chemicals  
 
 
Find out more on:
https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/water-contamination/pfas/food/ 
https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/water-contamination/pfas/products/

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