How eating fish and chips, frozen meat or processed foods can make you vulnerable to the flu

Fish and Chips could make Australians more susceptible to the flu.

The Australian favorite is cooked in an oil that neutralizes the effects of flu vaccines, according to a new study.

Other foods sold in Australia that generally include the food additive are frozen meats, processed foods and crackers.

A chemical found in cooking oil, frozen meat and fish, as well as in processed foods such as potato chips and crackers prevents flu shots, according to a US study (stock image)

The report from Michigan State University found that tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), a food additive commonly found in frozen foods, is to blame.

"This is an enticing search from a very reputable source," said Professor Robert Booy, Australian expert in infectious diseases, at Courier Mail.

"It has not been tested on humans yet, but as part of further research I would really like to know if our favorite fish and chips really help to make us sick."

Professor Booy encouraged all healthy Australians to be vaccinated now for added safety.

The additive would hinder the body's ability to recognize a virus and fight it effectively.

"This study shows that TBHQ, at a dose adapted to the human diet, alters the primary immune responses and memory to influenza infection," says the report (stock image).

"This study shows that TBHQ, at a dose relevant to human nutrition, alters primary immune responses and memory to influenza infection," the report says.

"A widely used food additive, TBHQ, alters the activation of human CD4 + T cells."

T cells are a type of white blood cell that helps the immune system.

Scientists tested their hypothesis on mice by introducing TBHQ into their diet and studying its effects.

They found that the mice were unable to fight the virus as soon as possible because their immune response was weakened.

Indeed, T cells have been slow to activate and fight infection immediately.

TBHQ is also present in frozen meat. "It's an enticing search from a very reputable source," said Professor Robert Booy, expert in infectious diseases