For a new study, researchers collected samples from several fast food restaurant chains and tested them for phthalates andother harmful chemicals. Scientists have already found that phthalates can disrupt the endocrine system and therefore hormone levels in the body. Previous research has also shown that they could cause asthma and obesity in children.
In this new experiment, the researchers built on previous work using urine samples from volunteers. From the analysis they conducted, they found that those who consumed more fast food tended to have more phthalates in their system. To learn more about the connection between food and phthalates, the study authors visited six fast food restaurants in different locations. The team was able to collect 64 foods, which they then used as test samples. However, they also asked for a pair of the plastic gloves used by food preparers in the same establishments to compare the results. Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid and are often used as plasticizers to make plastics more flexible. Previous research has also shown that these chemicals can also increase the shelf life of products, making them popular with plastic manufacturers.
When examining the food samples, the researchers found dibutyl phthalates in 81% of the samples and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) in 70% of them. They also found that the foods with the highest concentrations were meat-based. These would be, for example, cheeseburgers or burritos. The team also found other chemicals such as DINCH, DEHT and DEHA. These chemicals have begun to replace phthalates in many of the samples collected. However, the scientists also point out that it is not known exactly whether these substitutes are harmful to humans when ingested. The authorsthis studydidn't try to figure out how the phthalates got into fast food. However, they suspect it is residue on rubber gloves used by chefs during preparation. It would also be possible that they come from plastic packaging.
