Popular Fast-Food Items Linked to Infertility

Topic: Popular Fast-Food Items Linked to Infertility

Toxic chemicals that are associated with infertility have been found in several popular fast-food items, such as Big Macs and Taco Bell burritos. Unfortunately, consumers may not realize what they are getting and suffer the long-term consequences of it. This makes corporate responsibility in the fast-food industry more crucial than ever.

A Study on Fast-Food and Infertility

Researchers conducted a study in which they tested burritos, burgers, and pizza from several top fast-food restaurants for different chemicals. Their search yielded shocking results, showing that chemicals associated with infertility were in over 80% of the sample food items.

Lariah Edwards, a postdoctoral scientist at George Washington University, along with colleagues, ordered typical fast-food items from six top restaurants in the United States. The restaurants listed in the study were McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino’s, Taco Bell, and Chipotle, and the researchers proceeded to test the food for 11 different plasticizing chemicals.

Shockingly, over 80% of the food samples contained phthalates, which is a class of chemicals that help make plastic more flexible and softer. In addition, food samples with meat had higher chemical levels.

Past studies corroborated these findings, reporting that individuals who consume more fast-food typically have more phthalates in their urine. However, this study was unique in that it is the first one to test the food samples directly.

Importantly, phthalates impact the reproductive system by disrupting hormone functions, causing issues with fertility and in some cases, child development. More disturbing is the fact that individuals with increased levels of phthalates in their urine were more likely to pass away earlier in life, particularly from heart disease.

Although it is important to remember that the periodic consumption of fast-food will probably not lead to an untimely death, it is still crucial to remember that too much exposure to phthalates can cause adverse effects. In addition, fast-food is not likely the only source of exposure to phthalates, as many chemicals are also present in various cosmetics and cleaning products.

Notably, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has also acknowledged the adverse effects of phthalates and banned eight different phthalates in children’s toys and child-care items. Unfortunately, those particular phthalates are still present in many other plastics, and at least four were found in the fast-food samples. Thus, there is still a need for increased transparency and accountability within the food industry.

Key Takeaway

A new study conducted by researchers examined fast-food items from six popular restaurants in the United States, finding a disproportionate amount of phthalates in them. Phthalates have been associated with reproductive problems and infertility, posing a warning for those who consume large amounts of fast-food.

Topic Discussed: Popular Fast-Food Items Linked to Infertility