Your child may not be able to eat cheese properly

Children\’s diet and health are always one of the biggest concerns for parents. Endocrine disruptors have been a frequent word in the news in recent years. So, where exactly do endocrine disruptors appear? A recent study has pointed the finger at phthalates (PAEs) in processed cheese products. The study analyzed 30 cheese-containing foods, including cheese sticks, cheese slices, cheese powder, and 10 types of instant mac and cheese baked in the United States. Nine of the instant macaroni and cheese recipes are manufactured by international food company Kraft Heinz. It\’s important to note that this study has not been peer-reviewed. The study found that among 30 cheese products, the highest concentration of phthalates was in highly processed boxed macaroni and cheese. The phthalate concentration of these cheese powder-containing instant snacks is four times that of natural cheese, while the phthalate concentration of processed cheese slices is three times that of natural cheese. So, what kind of harm do phthalates have to the human body? Are there any relevant laws and regulations? Phthalates are endocrine disruptors and are relatively common substances. They are found in foods that have come into contact with plastic products and in many daily necessities. ▲ Daily necessities that often contain phthalates. According to a report released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2002, cosmetics, skin creams, pesticides, fragrances, and drugs all contain phthalates in varying concentrations. dicarboxylate. However, the FDA does not ban the use of phthalates in food, and also lists phthalates as indirect food additives. As for the dangers of phthalates, the FDA\’s description in this report is very vague: \”Unlike chemicals such as dioxins, lead, and mercury that can accumulate in human tissues, phthalates generally Phthalates do not accumulate in the human body. However, under certain conditions, phthalates do accumulate in certain organs. Because the human body is often exposed to phthalates, phthalates Ester compounds can cause a certain degree of burden on the human body.\” Unlike the FDA\’s ambiguous attitude, Europe, which has always been conservative on food safety issues, has banned the use of certain phthalates in plastics that come into contact with foods with high fat content. Formate. In 2011, my country\’s Ministry of Health issued an announcement requiring the suspension of the production and sale of health foods containing phthalates. In the same year, the State Food and Drug Administration also required catering service units to investigate and deal with problematic products containing phthalates. . Heather B. Patisaul, professor of biology at North Carolina State University, said that although the concentration of phthalates in food is very low, it is still much higher than the levels of natural hormones synthesized in the human body. There is evidence that high concentrations of phthalates block testosterone synthesis. \”Phthalates can reduce the amount of testosterone in a male fetus as it develops,\” Patisaul said. \”Because testosterone is so important for the development of male genitalia, the child is likely to suffer from genital malformations and other symptoms.\”He has health problems. In addition, Sheela Sathyanarayana, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington who specializes in phthalates, said there is some evidence that phthalates are linked to behavioral problems in children, such as violence, ADHD, and cognitive delays. So, What dose of phthalates is safe for humans, especially children? Sheela Sathyanarayana, associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington, said the jury is still out. “We don’t know what dose of phthalates we ingest. Phthalates can cause health problems. Megan McSeveney, the FDA\’s press officer and the study\’s author, agrees that more research is needed on the effects of phthalate levels on the human body and how to remove phthalates from food. Yale David L. Katz, director of the University Prevention Research Center, believes that it is best to eat less highly processed foods. “Most macaroni and cheese are overly processed junk foods. The best thing is not to touch them… But having said that, the biggest impact on health is Overall eating habits. ” So, where do the phthalates in food come from? Besides food, what other things also contain phthalates? The authors of the study said: “Things with higher levels of phthalates Foods containing acid esters may have absorbed the substance during processing and packaging. \”In fact, in the chemical industry, phthalates are often used to soften plastics or as solvents in product packaging adhesives and inks. In food processing, plastic pipes, conveyor belts, gaskets and other plastic products All may carry phthalates and contaminate food passing by. In addition, the plastic used in packaging and printed labels will also release phthalates into the food in contact. In other words, phthalates do not They are not intentionally added as food additives, but come into contact with and contaminate food through food machinery and packaging during processing. Because phthalates bind to lipids, phthalates in fat-rich foods are The content of formates is relatively high, such as baby food, meat, cooking oil, etc. Of course, we are also exposed to phthalates in other daily products, such as shampoo and skin care products. So to sum up, Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that have potential adverse effects on human health, especially pregnant women and children, and are widely found in food and daily necessities. However, regarding the safe dosage of phthalates, The academic community and regulatory authorities have not yet reached a conclusion. If you are preparing for pregnancy, are already pregnant, or have a growing baby at home, it is best to eat less highly processed cheese and other plastic-packaged foods. Take a look at what Professor Sathyanarayana gave Here are some suggestions: – Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, and less processed foods. – Try to buy low-fat dairy products, such as low-fat milk and low-fat cheese, and buy less high-fat foods, such as butter, whole milk and foods with high fat content. of meat because of phthalatesFormates tend to accumulate in fat. – Try not to use plastic products to store food. If your child\’s bottle is made of polycarbonate (PP), do not put boiling liquid in it. – Many cosmetics and personal care products containing fragrance (such as shampoo, body lotion, etc.) also contain phthalates, so try to choose fragrance-free products.