UPDATE: New data reveals that popular fast food items in the U.S. are alarmingly high in plastic-related chemicals, raising serious health concerns. An analysis from PlasticList, reported by Newsweek, highlights that these items contain significant levels of phthalates—chemicals linked to serious health risks—including endocrine disruption and reproductive harm.
This urgent finding underscores a troubling trend in the fast food industry, where convenience often overshadows consumer safety. Researchers focused their investigation on phthalates, specifically how they migrate into food during processing and packaging. The Environmental Working Group’s acting chief science officer, David Andrews, emphasizes that these chemicals persist in our food because the FDA has not banned them, despite growing evidence of their dangers.
Here are the fast food items with the highest levels of plastic chemicals, according to the latest analysis:
1. Taco Bell Cantina Chicken Burrito: Dominating the database, this burrito contains over 14,000 nanograms of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) per serving, a level surpassing over 90 percent of foods tested.
2. McDonald’s Quarter Pounder with Cheese: This burger has been found with over 400,000 nanograms of bis(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT), a staggering figure that raises alarms about its safety.
3. Burger King Whopper with Cheese: Notably high in DEHT, the Whopper recorded measurements in the millions of nanograms per serving, among the highest in the study.
4. Burger King Chicken Nuggets: These nuggets also displayed elevated levels of multiple plastic chemicals, reflecting the pervasive issue of contamination in heavily processed foods.
5. Wendy’s Burgers: Several of these burgers ranked close to the top for DEHT and di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate, measuring again in the millions of nanograms.
6. Shake Shack Cheeseburgers and Vanilla Shakes: Shake Shack’s burgers showed DEHP levels higher than most foods, while the vanilla shakes contained concerning amounts of di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate.
The consistent presence of phthalates in fast food can be attributed to the industrial food system, where these chemicals are utilized across various stages—from packaging to processing. Susanne Brander, a professor at Oregon State University, explains that phthalates are not chemically locked into plastics, allowing them to easily leach into food.
The highly processed nature of these foods increases their exposure to plastic chemicals, as they navigate through multiple equipment and packaging processes. Rolf Halden from Arizona State University notes that this complexity enhances the risk of contamination.
While completely avoiding plastic exposure may not be feasible, these findings highlight a critical issue: the fast food industry is built on a system reliant on plastic at nearly every level. Until comprehensive changes are made, consumer exposure to these harmful chemicals is unlikely to diminish.
This developing story raises urgent questions about food safety and consumer health. As awareness grows, will regulatory bodies take action to protect public health? Stay tuned for updates on this pressing issue.