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Families should reduce exposure to synthetic chemicals found in foodstuffs, preservatives, and packaging materials as they grow up to be healthy, according to a policy statement and technical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics released today
We asked Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, FAAP, and the United States of America for the approval of the US Food and Drug Administration (19659003). , AAP Council on Environmental Health and Lead author of the policy statement, to tell us more about these concerns. He is also an Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Environmental Medicine & Population Health at NYU School of Medicine.
What are the growing number of studies showing us?
Over the past two decades, an accumulating body of science suggests some food additives can interfere with a child's hormones, growth, and development. In 2015, the Endocrine Society released a scientific statement about endocrine disrupting chemicals which reviewed 1,300 studies. The effects of these chemicals are more important than they are because they are more sensitive to chemical exposures because they are more do, and are still growing and developing.
What additives does the statement highlight?
Some additives are put directly in foods, while "indirect" additives may include chemicals from plastics, glues, dyes, paper, cardboard, and different types of coatings used for processing and packaging. The additives of most concern, based on rising research evidence cited in the report, include:
Bisphenols, such as BPA, used to harden plastic containers and line metal cans, can act like estrogen in the body and potentially change the timing of puberty, decrease fertility, fat body fat, and affect the nervous and immune systems.
Phthalates which makes plastics and vinyl tubes used in food production flexible, can affect male bad development, increase childhood obesity, and contribute to cardiovascular disease. In 2017, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the use of certain phthalates in child-care products
Perfluoroalkyl chemicals used in grease-proof paper and cardboard food packaging, may reduce immunity, birth weight , and fertility. PFCs can affect the thyroid system, key to metabolism, digestion, muscle control, brain development, and bone strength.
Perchlorate, added to some dry food, is known to disrupt thyroid function, early life brain development and growth.
Artificial food colors common in children's food products, may be badociated with worsened attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder symptoms. Nitrates / Nitrites
Nitrates / Nitrites are used to preserve food and enhance color, especially in cured and processed meats. These chemicals can interfere with thyroid hormone production and the blood's ability to deliver oxygen in the body. Nitrates and nitrites also have been linked to gastrointestinal and nervous system cancers
Why are some additives like artificial colors in some countries, but not in the US?
In our world, the laws of health and safety have been carefully considered. Since then, science has suggested that the current framework does not work to protect us adequately. The U.S. allows the use of more than 10,000 additives to preserve, package, or modify the taste, appearance, texture, or nutrients in foods. Many of these additives have been approved for use during the 1950s, and roughly 1,000 additives are used under a "Generally Recognized as Safe" designation process that does not require FDA approval. In the report, we have a number of steps that can be taken in the FDA. FDA
In meantime, what does the AAP recommend?
There are safe and easy steps that families can take to reduce exposure. Studies show a significant decrease in exposure can make a difference. These steps include:
- Pomegranate and Phthalates in Food and Use microwaving food or beverages, including infant formulas and pumped human milk, in plastic when possible.
- Avoid plastics with recycling codes 3 (phthalates), 6 (styrene), and 7 (bisphenols) ) unless they are labeled as "biobased" or "greenware."
- Washing hands thoroughly before and after touching food and clean all fruits and vegetables that can not be peeled.
Families can also show their concern by not buying certain products and asking manufacturers to make changes. Often, we hear from the costs of safer alternatives, but the benefits of removing BPA from aluminum cans.
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