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Pediatricians Issue Cautions About Chemicals in Plastics & Food Packaging - Parents
You should use fewer plastic containers for food, opt for fresh or frozen over canned, and limit processed meats to avoid certain chemicals in food and food packaging, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics in a new policy statement. They're also urging the government to better regulate these substances, which they say may not be safe for young children.
According to the AAP policy statement about food additives, more than 10,000 chemicals are allowed to be added to food and food packaging in the United States. The safety of those chemicals is of particular importance for babies and young kids, who the authors say are more vulnerable to chemical exposure because of their lower body weight and because their bodies' organ systems are still developing.
Evidence from animal and population studies suggest that some of the chemicals used in foods and packaging may be linked to health problems, according to the statement and an accompanying report. The chemicals the AAP singles out include BPA, used in the lining of cans, nitrates and nitrites, used to cure meats like bacon, ham, and hot dogs, and phthalates used in plastics.
You should use fewer plastic containers for food, opt for fresh or frozen over canned, and limit processed meats to avoid certain chemicals in food and food packaging, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics in a new policy statement. They're also urging the government to better regulate these substances, which they say may not be safe for young children.
According to the AAP policy statement about food additives, more than 10,000 chemicals are allowed to be added to food and food packaging in the United States. The safety of those chemicals is of particular importance for babies and young kids, who the authors say are more vulnerable to chemical exposure because of their lower body weight and because their bodies' organ systems are still developing.
Evidence from animal and population studies suggest that some of the chemicals used in foods and packaging may be linked to health problems, according to the statement and an accompanying report. The chemicals the AAP singles out include BPA, used in the lining of cans, nitrates and nitrites, used to cure meats like bacon, ham, and hot dogs, and phthalates used in plastics.