New Study Finds Harmful Chemicals In Popular Mac N Cheese Mixes
A new study that was seeking to analyze a variety of cheese products, found that those popular macaroni and cheese mixes that many of us love so much, contained harmful chemicals known as phthalates.
These chemicals have been banned in the US for many years; from things like teething rings and children's rubber duck toys. Interestingly, an FDA report from a few years ago concluded that the primary source of exposure for these chemicals was food, beverages, and drugs and not toys.
Researchers suggest that these chemicals might play a role in disrupting hormones such as testosterone and might possibly contribute to learning and behavioral problems for children and increase the risk of allergies. Not only that, but they've also allegedly been linked to birth defects in infant boys.
The recent study analyzed 30 different cheese products, including popular highly processed cheese samples that you'd find in macaroni and cheese mixes. They also tested things like string cheese, cottage cheese, and shredded cheese.
At least 9 of their samples were Kraft products.
They found that for the powder cheese mixes for the popular box meals, that the concentration of the chemicals was around 4x higher.
For the 30 samples, they found the harmful chemicals in all but one of the samples.
Unfortunately, some of their samples were even labeled as organic. All of the products were purchased in the US, before being shipped for testing to Belgium.
Researchers concluded that these harmful chemicals must be in every mac and cheese product on the market and they say that it's extremely difficult for consumers to try and shop their way out of the problem.
It's believed that the chemicals migrate into the food from the manufacturing process via the different packaging and equipment that gets used. They hope that consumers will pressure manufacturers to investigate how the chemicals are making it into the products, in order to make a response plan to sort out the problem.
Pics:
Getty Images - Kevork Djansezian via time.com/3829094/kraft-mac-and-cheese-color/
Pixabay
Liar Liar - Universal, via Giphy
Sources:
https://www.nrdc.org/experts/jennifer-sass/mac-and-cheese-powder-tests-positive-toxic-phthalates
http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/powdered-mac-cheese-kraft-toxic-chemicals-article-1.3324464
http://time.com/4799330/household-chemicals-phthalates-thyroid-girls/
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170503092926.htm
http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/whats-in-your-childs-mac-and-cheese-toxic-chemicals-a-new-study-says/
Stay the F*#k away from processed foods, you'd be surprised what chemicals you even find in fresh foods, have you heard of meat glue?
😆 😆 😆
Lol a gif-versation
@doitvoluntarily - Since Mac and Cheese is so popular with the children, this definitely is a very dangerous thing. If the pthalates cause behavioral issues by affecting testosterone production, then the children will face problems around puberty for sure Will pass on this message to all my friends and family. Thanks for sharing. Upvoted and followed you.
At my end, I continued my observations of nuggets of wisdom from wildlife and wrote a blog 'How to Chill - Monkey Style' with my wildlife photos and musings with a twist. I request you to take a look at it when you have time. Your comments, as always, would be an encouragement and incentive for me to make better blogs. Thanks
always enjoy your thoughtful comments! :)
Thank you. Your articles bring in nuggets of updates that are important so I always read thoroughly. I am very thankful for your visit to my blogs and the encouragement provided by you. Hope you visit often. Thanks
upvote and follow!!:))resteem too!!:))
I always knew there was a reason that stuff would last so long in good storage.
lol!
Oh no! Not the staple of my two kids who are attending University. Not the beloved KD of Canada. Thank you for the insight.
That orange color powder KD mix is not natural looking at all
This is a great article that can help many users along the way.Thanks for sharing with us
I just saw them talking about this on the tv news today. We just need to stay away from many processed foods.
a lot of garbage out there that's for sure!
Wow, that's so scary to know that. Thanks for sharing your research with us.
thanks for checking it out :)
Great read! Why am I not surprised! Funny statement though: "Researchers concluded that these harmful chemicals must be in every mac and cheese product on the market and they say that it's extremely difficult for consumers to try and shop their way out of the problem." just eat real food and make your own mac and cheese. It s so easy and fast to make. And no chemicals!
good advice!