Study finds large amount of foods contain plastics

>>> WHETHER IT IS FRUIT AND VEGETABLES OR MEAT AND POULTRY, A LOT OF OUR FOOD, EVEN VERY NATURAL FOOD, CONTAINS PLASTIC. >> AND OUTSIDE OF THE GROCERY AISLES, FAST FOOD MAY BE EVEN WORSE. WBZ'S KRISTINA REX SHOWS US A NEW STUDY LAYING OUT THE RISKS AND WHAT TO AVOID. >> Reporter: CHEERIOS IS BUILT AS A HEART HEALTHY WAY TO START THE DAY. BUT A CONSUMER REPORT ABOUT TINY BITS OF PLASTIC MAY TELL A DIFFERENT STORY. THE NON-PROFIT CONSUMER ORGANIZATION TESTED 85 DIFFERENT FOOD PRODUCTS FOR THE PLASTICS. AND THE RESULTS WERE CONCERNING. >> OF THE 85 DIFFERENT PRODUCTS THAT WE TESTED, ONLY ONE HAD ZERO. >> Reporter: THE SO-CALLED HEART HEALTHY CHEERIOS FROM GENERAL MILLS HAD 11,000 NANO GRAMS. BURGER KING'S WHOPPER WITH CHEESE HAD MORE THAN 20,000. AND WENDY'S CRISPY CHICKEN NUGGETS HAD 34,000 PER SERVING. >> WE ALSO SAY REDUCE OR TOTALLY AVOID FAST FOOD. BECAUSE IN OUR ARTICLE IT SHOWS THE FAST FOOD WAS PARTICULARLY HIGH IN PLASTICS. >> Reporter: A MEAL EATEN BY CHILDREN TOPPED THE LIST. ANNIE'S ORGANIC CHEESY RAVIOLI HAD MORE THAN 53,000 NANO GRAMS PER SERVING. A SPOKESPERSON TOLD WBZ FOOD SAFETY IS OUR TOP PRIORITY AT GENERAL MILLS. WE REVIEW THE INGREDIENTS AND PACKAGING WE BUY AND THE COMPANIES THAT SUPPLY THEM ON A REGULAR CADENCE. THE PRODUCTS TESTED BY CONSUMER REPORTS WERE WITHIN REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. >> PLASTICS ARE EVERYWHERE IN FOODS. >> Reporter: DR. PHILLIP IS A PROFESSOR AT BOSTON COLLEGE. HE RESEARCHES CHEMICALS FOUND IN FOOD. HE SAY IT IS CHEMICALS THAT LEACH OUT OF PLASTIC CONTAINERS IN BAGS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BE EXTREMELY HARMFUL TO YOUR BODY. >> THE THALATES ARE CHEMICALS WITH THE ABILITY TO DISRUPT ENDODRINE FUNCTION. THEY CAN CAUSE TOXICITY TO THE LIVER AND CHANGE LEVERS OF CHOLESTEROL. AND THEY PUSH UP RATES OF HEART DISEASE AND STROKE. >> IT IS AFFECTING PEOPLE'S HEALTH AND HORMONES. COMPANIES PROBABLY WON'T BE INCENTIVIZED TO DO ANYTHING UNLESS THERE'S RULES. >> Reporter: RULES NOT IN ABUNDANCE WHEN IT COMES TO PLASTICS IN THE U.S. >> MORE THAN 80% IN THE CHEMICALS HAVE NEVER BEEN TESTED FOR SAFETY OR EFFICACY. WE ARE BASICALLY, WE AND OUR KIDS ARE SURROUNDED BY CHEMICALS WHOSE HAZARD IS NOT KNOWN. >> WE HAVE CALLED ON THE FDA FOR A TOTAL BAN OF ANY THALATES. JUST BAN THEM. >> Reporter: STILL, THERE ARE A FEW THINGS YOU CAN DO TO MINIMIZE YOUR EXPOSURE. >> WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS URGE CONSUMER TO TRY TO REDUCE YOUR EXPOSURE BY NOT EATING AS MUCH PROCESSED FOODS. >> ONE VERY PROVEN EFFECTIVE WAY TO MINIMIZE EXPOSURE IS TO EAT ORGANIC. >> DON'T MICROWAVE YOUR FOOD IN PLASTIC CONTAINERS OR STORE THEM IN PLASTICCONTAINERS. USE GLASS. >> Reporter: NOW THE FDA SAYS IT IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND NOTED THAT THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO BE DIRECTLY ADDED TO FOOD. BUT SOME CAN GO INTO FOOD PACKAGING AND FOOD CONTACT APPLICATIONS. THE AGENCY IS ASKING MANUFACTURERS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW THESE CHEMICALS ARE BEING

Channel: CBS Boston

Views: 210,430

Keywords: WBZ News Evening, Kristina Rex, plastics in food, plastics, Consumer Reports plastic food

Id: bBGisj_VewQ

Length: 3min 43sec (223 seconds)

Published: Wed Feb 07 2024