Traces of chemical used in detergent, gloves found in McDonald’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut foods

Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers added to plastics to increase flexibility, durability and longevity. They are used in many products including vinyl flooring, lubricating oils, soaps, hair sprays, laundry detergent, etc.

Researchers from George Washington University, Southwest Research Institute (San Antonio, Texas), Boston University and Harvard University examined 64 samples of hamburgers, fries, chicken nuggets, chicken burritos and cheese pizza taken from these outlets. More than 80 per cent of the food was found to contain a phthalate called DnBP and 70 per cent contained the phthalate DEHT, according to a Hindustan Times report. DEHT is a plasticizer introduced to replace more toxic chemicals in both, the gloves used by the staff and the food. It is used in bottle caps, conveyor belts, flooring materials and waterproof clothing.

Researchers also studied three pair of gloves used in a neighbourhood near their lab in Texas.

In the study, researchers mentioned how substantial evidence linked “phthalate exposures to increased risks for children’s learning, attention, and behavioral problems.” It can also affect pregnant women and people of colour.

Researchers, however, say that the study is limited, acknowledging that the food items only came from one city.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), on the other hand, has said it will review the study.

📣 For more lifestyle news, follow us on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook and don’t miss out on the latest updates!

Curated For You

My patient gave up sugar, thought jaggery was safer: Why her HbA1c jumped from 7.2% to 8.5%

Dilip Kumar’s sisters created ‘hostile environment’ for wife Saira Banu leading to her hospitalisation; ‘orchestrated’ his second marriage to drive her away

Malayalam cinema’s most iconic tragedy was written in 3 days, shot in 25 days at a cost of Rs 23.5 lakh; Mohanlal charged just Rs 4 lakh