Plastics Everywhere—Even in Your Burger

Industrial chemicals are creeping into fast food.

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By Daphne Lee, News Editor You can't escape plastics. They're swarming the ocean, making their way into babies, and even in fast food. When was the last time you had Chipotle, McDonald's or Domino's? Chances are you might have swallowed some plastic-making materials along with that burger or pizza. Today's Top Story Harmful Industrial Chemicals in Fast Food Phthalates are everywhere. They're a group of chemicals used to soften plastics and they can be found in day-to-day products like shampoo, cosmetics, and food packaging.   In 2017, the use of phthalates was banned in children's toys and child-care articles because these chemicals were linked to health issues like ADHD and behavioral problems.   Recently, scientists even found phthalates in fast foods like hamburgers, chicken nuggets, and pizzas. They tested 64 items in the study and 80% of the samples contained plasticizers—mostly in meat-based products. Plain cheese pizzas and fries had the lowest level of chemicals.   Researchers said that it's hard to escape plasticizers in the food supply chain, from food-handling gloves and packaging to industrial tubing and conveyor belts. Fast foods can easily be contaminated in any of these steps. Know More Lariah Edwards, PhD, a co-author of the study, suggested that limiting fast food consumption in general can minimize exposure, but that's not accessible to everybody. "Stronger policy would be the best way to ensure we're not exposed to these chemicals," she said.   Even if consumers have the time and money to prepare meals at home or purchase "phthalate-free" personal care items, federal regulations will make the biggest difference. Feel Better Reheating or microwaving your food in a plastic container may also increase the risk of phthalate exposure. A lot of single-use plastic containers aren't meant for the microwave. Reheat your food in ceramic bowls or only in containers that have the "microwave-safe" label. READ MORE American children and teenagers are eating more fast food despite health warnings. A report from the CDC found that kids and adolescents consumed on average 13.8% of their daily calories from fast food between 2015-2018, up from 12.4% in 2011-2012. This Antidepressant May Prevent Severe COVID-19 Scientists in Brazil are studying how fluvoxamine, an antidepressant drug, may be used to treat severe cases of COVID-19. Fluvoxamine isn't an antiviral drug like Merck's COVID-19 pill. But it helps to control inflammation, which potentially prevents an overwhelming immune response that can leave a patient hospitalized. The FDA hasn't approved the use of fluvoxamine for COVID-19 patients because there's not enough data, but more studies are underway. READ MORE Do Flu Shot Side Effects Seem Worse This Year? Anecdotally, the flu shots this year seem more potent and make people feel worse than usual. But doctors aren't seeing anything out of the ordinary. It's normal to have mild fever and body ache for one or two days after the vaccine. But not everyone experiences these symptoms. Remember: The flu itself is much worse than the side effects of the shot and lasts longer. READ MORE     Chris Vincent, MD, a Verywell Medical Advisory Board member, says that advances in modern science and technology have helped save thousands of lives, but the tremendous benefits of personal health habits are often underestimated. Getting your annual checkups, exercising regularly, and avoiding excessive use of alcohol and substances will go a long way. In the field of medicine, Ben Franklin's adage that 'an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' is still as true in the 21st century as it was in the 18th century. Chris Vincent, MD Clinical Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine   Keep Reading   ■ Marvel's Eternals Shows Limitations of Theater Accessibility. Time     ■ Energy, And How to Get It. The New Yorker     ■ PTSD Is Dominating Burned-out Communities in Wildfire Country. Inverse More From Verywell The Brain-Gut Connection in IBS READ MORE How to Quit Smoking and What to Expect READ MORE Why the Malaria Vaccine Is Significant READ MORE   How'd we do? If you have any feedback, send us a note at   feedback@verywell.com.       You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Verywell Health newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here.   A DOTDASH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY, 10005   © 2021 verywellhealth.com - All rights reserved. Privacy Policy