Toxic Chemicals Found in European Breakfast Cereal
A disturbing new study has revealed that breakfast cereal products across Europe contain high levels of "forever chemicals" - toxic compounds that can take centuries to break down. The study, conducted by Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN), analyzed 65 conventional cereal products bought across 16 European countries and found that over 81% of samples contained these hazardous substances.
The most contaminated food group was breakfast cereal, with average concentrations 100 times higher than in tap water. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a chemical produced when pesticides containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (Pfas) break down, was found in popular sweets, pasta, croissants, wholemeal bread, refined bread, flour, spaghetti, cheese scones, gingerbread, and other products.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (Pfas), also known as "forever chemicals," have been used in manufacturing since the 1950s. They are known for their ability to persist in the environment, taking hundreds or thousands of years to degrade after use, which means they can remain in soil and water for centuries.
The toxic effects of Pfas, including TFA, are only just being understood, with links to diseases such as cancer emerging in new studies. TFA is reprotoxic, meaning it can harm human reproductive function, fertility, and fetal development, as well as cause adverse effects on thyroid, liver, and immune functions.
Campaigners are calling for governments to set stricter safety limits for TFA and ban all Pfas pesticides and other sources of the substance. Currently, no monitoring takes place in food.
The study's findings have significant implications for European consumers, particularly children, who may be exposed to these hazardous substances through multiple pathways, including food and drinking water. The PAN Europe organization is urging immediate action to prevent further contamination of the food chain and protect public health.
A disturbing new study has revealed that breakfast cereal products across Europe contain high levels of "forever chemicals" - toxic compounds that can take centuries to break down. The study, conducted by Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN), analyzed 65 conventional cereal products bought across 16 European countries and found that over 81% of samples contained these hazardous substances.
The most contaminated food group was breakfast cereal, with average concentrations 100 times higher than in tap water. Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA), a chemical produced when pesticides containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (Pfas) break down, was found in popular sweets, pasta, croissants, wholemeal bread, refined bread, flour, spaghetti, cheese scones, gingerbread, and other products.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (Pfas), also known as "forever chemicals," have been used in manufacturing since the 1950s. They are known for their ability to persist in the environment, taking hundreds or thousands of years to degrade after use, which means they can remain in soil and water for centuries.
The toxic effects of Pfas, including TFA, are only just being understood, with links to diseases such as cancer emerging in new studies. TFA is reprotoxic, meaning it can harm human reproductive function, fertility, and fetal development, as well as cause adverse effects on thyroid, liver, and immune functions.
Campaigners are calling for governments to set stricter safety limits for TFA and ban all Pfas pesticides and other sources of the substance. Currently, no monitoring takes place in food.
The study's findings have significant implications for European consumers, particularly children, who may be exposed to these hazardous substances through multiple pathways, including food and drinking water. The PAN Europe organization is urging immediate action to prevent further contamination of the food chain and protect public health.
!! 81% of samples contained them? that's wild! i mean, i know some cereals are made with artificial stuff but this is on a whole other level 
. and it's not just the cereals, it's all these other products like pasta, bread, cheese... everything is tainted 
. we need to hold our governments accountable for setting stricter safety limits ASAP! 
that can take centuries to break down i dont even wanna think about what that means for our health!! 
and its not just the cereal either, these bad guys are in lots of other food stuffs too 
my brain is trying to wrap around this but basically we need stricter safety limits ASAP 
or else who knows what kinda damage these chemicals can do to us? 
OMG parents I'm literally so worried about our kids eating breakfast cereal! Those forever chemicals are like something out of a science fiction movie 
I mean what if they're affecting their brain development or thyroid function in some way? 
It's crazy that 81% of those cereals were contaminated and it's not even monitored in food 
We need to make sure our kids are eating clean food that won't harm them long-term 
! It's not like they just found these toxic chemicals out of nowhere... been known about them since the 1950s already 
. Like, we're talking decades-long history here. Anyway, yeah, I guess it's a big deal that people are getting harmed by stuff like TFA. But shouldn't we be worried more about what's actually in our food and how it affects us? Can't just blame the manufacturers and governments without doing your own research 
.