Researchers have discovered a toxic substance in many fast food items that leads to serious diseases such as cancer, asthma, liver fibrosis, and infertility. Researchers from George Washington University ordered dozens of fast food meals from various restaurants and analyzed their nutritional components, finding phthalates—used to make plastic flexible—in 80% of the samples, according to Sky News. Phthalates are used in the production of hundreds of industrial products, including soap, shampoo, and plastic bags. This substance is linked to various health problems, including cancer, liver damage, infertility, and learning difficulties and attention disorders in children.
The researchers selected fast food items from various brands, focusing on the best-selling items, including hamburgers, fries, cheese pizza, and fried chicken. Meat products contained higher levels of phthalates compared to fries and cheese pizza, according to the results published in the journal "Environmental Exposure Science and Epidemiology." Among the foods analyzed, 81% contained a type of phthalate called DnBP, which is associated with an increased risk of asthma. Researchers suggested that phthalates may reach these food items through the supply chain or through processing equipment and plastic gloves worn by staff. Co-researcher Amy Zota stated that the study raises concerns that low-income Americans are exposed to phthalates more than others.
