Avoid these food chemicals, say pediatricians

Health



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A policy statement issued Monday by the American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that the regulatory framework for some chemicals is outdated and based on an outdated understanding of science.
An accompanying technical report cites increasing evidence of adverse health effects in children of chemicals added to foods, such as flavorings and dyes, and substances that indirectly affect foods, including adhesives and coatings. Dr. Leonardo Trasande, director of the Division of Environmental Pediatrics at the New York University School of Medicine and lead author of the statement, said: "Some striking and surprising concerns about the lack of Note that these products have been received by regulatory agencies. report.

"Pound for book, kids eat more food and therefore have a higher exposure level compared to us adults," said Trasande. "In addition, their developing organ systems are particularly vulnerable … There may be fundamental disturbances in various endocrine functions that may manifest not only in early childhood but potentially later in life as a result of prenatal or infant exposure. "

Trasande also cited several chemicals of particular concern: bisphenols, used in aluminum can liners (Bisphenol A was banned from baby bottles and cups by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2012, but FDA asserts its safety in food packaging); phthalates, used to make plastics soft; perchlorates, used in food packaging; and nitrates and nitrites, which are preservatives and color enhancers.
"Chemicals used in everyday products must be rigorously evaluated for their full potential impact on human health before they are widely available on the market," Dr. Maida P Galvez, an associate professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Pediatrics at the Icahn School of Medicine in Mount Sinai, told CNN previously.
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Experts fear that these chemicals a range of d & rsquo; side effects including disruption of thyroid hormones, endocrine disruption which involves mimicking estrogen and blocking testosterone, effects on brain development, increased risk of obesity and decreased birth weight. "It was a practical framework for thinking about obesity, but now we know that synthetic chemicals disrupt the way calories are processed and ultimately converted to protein over sugar and fat." 19659004 "Even at a basic level, we understand" Thyroid hormones are not only important for brain development but also for heart function, bone function and muscles, "he adds." Almost all organs are affected by thyroid hormone function. "

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L 39 The American Chemistry Council, which represents companies in the chemical industry, said that Americans "should know that all plastics intended for contact with food are examined for their safety and must meet the strict requirements of the FDA in safety matter before it can be used in food packaging. "

" Consumers want to know that products purchase, including food e mucked, will run as planned, provide the desired benefits and be safe for the family. The packaging of plastics is essential to the protection of the quality and integrity of food and the safety of transport and storage of food. "

Trasande explained that there are three arms of action on this issue.The public is asking for a change, the second is what pediatricians can do, and the third is what regulators can adjust to ensure safety

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About 1000 chemicals are considered " generally recognized as safe "without FDA approval, the authors noted.The FDA states that any substance voluntarily used as a food additive is subject to its approval," unless the substance is generally recognized, among qualified experts, as having been demonstrated as safe under the conditions of its intended use. "

The academy urged the government to revise As the Safe process, makes it more transparent and requires additional toxicity tests before approving the chemicals to be used in foods.

"Families can take simple and safe measures to limit their exposure: reduce the consumption of preserves, avoid plastic microwaves," said Trasande. "This is also another opportunity to emphasize the need to consume fresh fruits and vegetables compared to other highly processed or packaged foods, not only because of the nutrients and their difference, but also because of much greater chemical contamination … "

It is also recommended to avoid processed meats, especially during pregnancy, and avoid foods in plastic packaging bearing recycling codes 3 (phthalates), 6 (styrene, suspected carcinogen) or 7 (bisphenols). An exception is if the plastics are labeled as "biobased" or "greenware", which means that they are corn-based and are not made with bisphenols, according to the report.

If possible, glass and stainless steel can be used instead of plastic. The academy also suggests washing hands before handling food and drinks and washing fruits and vegetables that can not be peeled.

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