Kamil Perry
Macaroni and cheese, a beloved comfort food, has come under scrutiny in recent years due to concerns over the presence of potentially harmful chemicals known as phthalates. Phthalates, a class of chemicals used in plastics and various consumer products, have been linked to adverse health effects, particularly in children and pregnant women. With high concentrations found in powdered cheese mixes, consumers, advocacy groups, and experts are demanding answers and action from manufacturers and regulatory bodies. This raises concerns about the potential impact on those who regularly consume this convenient meal option and prompts further investigation into the safety of our food supply.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Presence of Phthalates | Yes |
| Harmful | Potentially |
| Risk Groups | Pregnant Women, Children, People with High Consumption of Packaged Foods |
| Health Risks | Genital Birth Defects in Boys, Learning and Behavioural Problems, Fertility Issues, Cancer |
| Food with High Phthalate Concentrations | Processed Cheese, Macaroni and Cheese Powder |
| Companies Involved | Kraft, Annie's Homegrown |
| Action Taken | Kraft Reviewing Test Results, Annie's Homegrown Pledging to Eliminate Phthalates |
| Regulatory Status | Not Banned by FDA, Petitioned for Removal in 2016 |
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What You'll Learn
- Phthalates are found in high concentrations in boxed mac and cheese mixes
- Phthalates are banned from children's products but not food
- Phthalates are linked to neurodevelopmental and behavioural problems in children
- Phthalates are hormone-disrupting chemicals
- Kraft has not committed to eliminating phthalates
Phthalates are found in high concentrations in boxed mac and cheese mixes
Mac and cheese is a popular dish in the United States, with two million boxes sold every day. However, recent studies have found that boxed mac and cheese mixes, especially those with powdered cheese, may contain high concentrations of phthalates.
Phthalates are a family of chemicals used in various consumer products, including soaps, plastics, adhesives, inks, and fragrances. While they have been banned from children's products like teething rings and rubber duck toys due to potential health risks, they are not prohibited in foods. Phthalates can disrupt male hormones like testosterone and have been linked to genital birth defects in infant boys and neurodevelopmental and behavioural issues in older children.
The presence of phthalates in boxed mac and cheese was first brought to light by a 2017 study conducted by an independent laboratory. The study tested 30 cheese products, including natural cheeses, processed cheese slices, and boxed mac and cheese powders. Phthalates were detected in all but one of the samples, with the highest concentrations found in the highly processed cheese powder. The report concluded that the phthalate levels in the mac and cheese mixes were more than four times higher than in natural cheeses.
The source of phthalates in boxed mac and cheese is believed to be the packaging and equipment used in manufacturing. The long shelf life of boxed mac and cheese also provides an extended period for the chemicals to seep into the cheese powder. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not banned phthalates in food, they continue to assess the risks associated with their presence.
Some experts argue that the concerns over phthalate exposure from boxed mac and cheese may be exaggerated. They attribute the low levels of phthalates in a single box to normal manufacturing processes in large plants. However, it is important to consider the potential risks for populations with high packaged food consumption due to income constraints or limited access to fresh groceries. As the debate continues, consumer advocacy groups are urging manufacturers to investigate the sources of phthalates in their products and take steps towards elimination.
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Phthalates are banned from children's products but not food
Phthalates, a family of compounds, have been widely used for over 50 years. They are used to soften vinyl plastic and are added to cosmetics and personal care products to bind fragrances. They are also used in soaps, plastics, adhesives, rubbers, inks, fragrances, and vinyl tubing for food processing. Phthalates are useful to manufacturers as they make plastics and vinyl softer and more flexible.
In 2013, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act limited the use of these chemicals in toys and other children's products. In 2017, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned eight ortho-phthalates from children's toys and childcare articles. This move was in response to the growing body of evidence that ingesting and being exposed to these chemicals can be harmful, especially to children. Studies have shown that phthalates can disrupt hormones, cause fertility problems, and have been linked to childhood obesity, asthma, neurological problems, cardiovascular issues, and even cancer.
Despite this, phthalates are not banned from food products. In 2017, an analysis of 30 cheese products found high concentrations of phthalates in the cheese powder of macaroni and cheese mixes. Of the 30 products tested, 29 contained phthalates, with the highest concentrations found in highly processed cheese powders. The analysis found that the phthalate concentration in powder from mac and cheese mixes was more than four times higher than in natural cheeses.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not banned phthalates from food products. According to FDA spokeswoman Megan McSeveney, for a phthalate to be used in food packaging, "there must be sufficient scientific information to demonstrate the substance is safe under the intended conditions of use." The FDA continues to examine data on these compounds as it becomes available.
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Phthalates are linked to neurodevelopmental and behavioural problems in children
Phthalates are a broad class of chemicals used to make plastic. They are called "everywhere chemicals" due to their presence in a vast array of products, from nail polish to shampoo, perfume, detergent, vinyl flooring, and food packaging. Phthalates have been linked to neurodevelopmental and behavioural problems in children, with girls being more susceptible to the effects.
In 2017, an independent laboratory conducted a study of 30 cheese products, detecting phthalates in all but one sample. The highest concentrations were found in highly processed cheese powder in boxed mac and cheese mixes. Nine of the cheese products tested were made by Kraft, the largest macaroni and cheese producer in the US. The Environmental Health Strategy Center and other advocacy groups funded the report, which has not been published in a peer-reviewed journal. The groups tested 10 different varieties of mac and cheese, including some organic options, and found high levels of phthalates in all of them.
The presence of phthalates in mac and cheese is concerning due to the potential health risks associated with these chemicals. Phthalates have been linked to neurodevelopmental issues in children, including attention problems and behavioural disorders. Prenatal exposure to phthalates can contribute to attention issues in children, and exposure during infancy, a critical period for brain development, can also have adverse effects. Phthalates have also been linked to blocked testosterone production and fertility complications.
While some critics argue that the fears of phthalate exposure in macaroni and cheese are overblown, with minuscule amounts in each box, experts agree that phthalate exposure in the food supply poses substantial risks for certain populations. Consumers who rely on packaged foods due to income constraints or proximity to grocery stores are at higher risk of continuous phthalate exposure.
To address these concerns, some macaroni and cheese brands have proactively made phthalate elimination a priority. For example, Annie's Homegrown, a popular organic brand, has pledged to work with its suppliers to eliminate ortho-phthalates from packaging materials and food processing equipment. However, larger producers like Kraft have not made similar commitments, despite consumer advocacy groups documenting the risks of phthalate consumption and urging manufacturers to investigate and eliminate phthalates from their products.
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Phthalates are hormone-disrupting chemicals
Macaroni and cheese mixes made with powdered cheese may contain potentially harmful chemicals called phthalates. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, which means they can interfere with the body's hormone functioning.
Phthalates are chemical additives widely used to produce or promote flexibility and reduce brittleness in plastics. They are used as plasticizers in PVC consumer, medical, and building products, as well as in food and beverage packaging, cosmetics, and children's toys.
Phthalates have been linked to a range of health problems, including decreased sperm quality, elevated blood pressure, obesity, and elevated levels of triglycerides. Exposure to phthalates during early pregnancy is associated with alterations in methylation of critical placental genes, which can lead to decreased fecundity, pregnancy loss, and adverse obstetrical outcomes. In children, phthalate exposure has been linked to neurodevelopmental and behavioral problems, including aggression, hyperactivity, and possible cognitive delays.
While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not banned phthalates from foods, a 2014 report urged federal agencies to assess the risks associated with phthalates and take steps to manage them. Experts recommend avoiding processed foods and using glass, stainless steel, ceramic, or wood to hold and store food instead of plastics to reduce exposure to phthalates.
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Kraft has not committed to eliminating phthalates
Macaroni and cheese products, especially those with processed cheese powder, have been found to contain high concentrations of phthalates. Phthalates are chemicals that can interfere with the body's hormonal system, causing issues such as fertility complications, hormonal changes, and neurodevelopmental problems. Despite these concerns, Kraft, the largest macaroni and cheese producer in the US, has not committed to eliminating phthalates from its products.
In 2017, a study of 30 cheese products detected phthalates in almost all of the samples tested, with the highest concentrations found in the highly processed cheese powder in boxed mac and cheese mixes. Nine of the cheese products tested were made by Kraft. Kraft did not respond to requests for comment on the report and its findings. This lack of response is consistent with their history of silence on the issue.
Consumer advocacy groups have been pressuring Kraft to address the presence of phthalates in their products. In 2021, a petition was delivered to Kraft-Heinz's headquarters by a group of parents, students, and activists, calling for immediate action to remove phthalates from their supply chain. However, Kraft-Heinz rejected this petition, refusing to engage with consumer concerns about the potential health risks of phthalate exposure.
While some experts argue that the dangers of phthalates in macaroni and cheese are overblown, others emphasize the need for further research and regulatory restrictions. Kraft's inaction on this issue stands in contrast to other companies outside the macaroni and cheese market, which have proactively pledged to eliminate phthalates from their packaging materials. Kraft's position on phthalates raises questions about its commitment to responsible business practices and the safety of its products.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, according to a 2017 study, 29 out of 30 cheese products tested contained phthalates, with the highest concentrations found in the highly processed cheese powder in boxed mac and cheese mixes.
Phthalates are a family of chemicals that are widely used in soaps, plastics, adhesives, rubbers, inks, and fragrances. They are also known to interfere with human hormones.
Yes, phthalates are potentially harmful chemicals that have been linked to genital birth defects in infant boys and learning and behavioural problems in older children. They can also disrupt hormones like testosterone and alter thyroid function.
Phthalates can migrate into food from packaging and equipment used in manufacturing. They can also leach into the cheese powder over time, as boxed mac and cheese has a long shelf life.
