Toxic content on our children's plates

In 2010, the association Générations Futures and the European network HEAL (Health & Environment Alliance) conducted a study on the daily diet of children following the recommendations of the National Health Nutrition Plan (PNNS). The aim was to search for substances that could be carcinogenic or endocrine disrupting and to evaluate the daily amounts absorbed.

The study

The PNNS recommends eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day. It also recommends the consumption of bread, cereals, potatoes, dried vegetables at each meal and to add to this 3 portions of dairy products. However, we must limit salt, added fats and other overly sweet products, while drinking as much water as possible (min 1.5 L).

During the study, children were given one piece of children's gum per day. The meals analyzed were therefore balanced and in accordance with these official recommendations. The studies were carried out by several recognized and accredited laboratories in the food sector in France and Belgium.

Here are the details of the menus proposed to the children:

  • Morning: Tea with milk (water heated in a plastic kettle) - bread - butter - jam - grape juice
  • 10am snack: apple
  • Lunch : mixed salad (green salad, tomato, tuna) - green beans - steak - baguette - grapes for dessert
  • Afternoon snack: berry smoothies
  • Evening: green salad - salmon - rice (served in a plastic plate) - lemon (for fish) - melted cheese - bread - peach for dessert

During the day, the children were hydrated with tap water and the non-organic food that made up these meals was purchased in supermarkets in the Paris suburbs.

The families of substances searched were the following:

Dioxins/furans - Brominated flame retardants (PBDEs) - PCB Dioxin Like (PCB DL) - Toxic trace elements - Pesticides. The sponsors of the study also asked for an analysis of possible transfers of food plastics to food (phthalates and BPA), as well as problematic additives indicated in the composition on product labels or packaging. The water was also tested for treatment by-products and pesticide residues.

Striking results

Here are the results of what the toddlers fed by the food circuits of the big industry absorb during a whole day:

  • 128 chemical residues ingested from 81 different substances.

These 81 substances are distributed as follows:

  • 42 substances are classified as possible or probable carcinogens,
  • 5 substances are classified as definite carcinogens

These 47 substances represent a total of 89 residues ingested during the day.

  • 37 different substances are classified as endocrine disruptors(EDs)

These 37 substances represent a total of 71 residues ingested during the day.

It should be noted that 28 substances are classified as both possible carcinogens and EPs.

Only 2 pesticide residues are above the MRLs. The other chemicals found are at lower levels than the various standards in force. Remember that MRLs (Maximum Residue Limits) are calculated for an average adult, but for each separate substance.

When studying and setting tolerance limits, the authorities never (or very rarely) take into account :

  • the accumulation of toxic substances, which is known as the cocktail effect.

For example, a 1996 study showed synergistic effects between pesticides with low estrogenic potential. This means that the toxic effects of pesticide mixtures were 150 to 1600 times greater than the effects of individual pesticides.

Another study (2005) showed the effects on the thyroid of combined chemicals, while the doses of the individual molecules did not exceed the permitted levels.

  • the sensitivity of the child and its still immature and growing endocrine system
  • the impact of endocrine disruptors on the development of the nervous system which is directly dependent on the
  • the state of health of children or adults subjected to these various harmful substances
  • individual consumption of certain addictive and excessive foodstuffs

Note also that traces of PCBs (a family of 209 molecules) were found in these analyses, but products containing them have normally been banned in France since 1987.

This element gives evidence of the tenacity and bioaccumulation (resulting from poor biodegradability) of substances created by the hand of man...

Every day new molecules result from the genius of man and take place in our environment. It is therefore likely that the toxic content of our children's plates has not become lighter!

Fortunately, more and more school cafeterias are turning to food from organic sources or from small local producers and are likely to be less contaminated.

Find the details and the report here.

HBE Diffusion, PANNE Carol 23 January, 2018
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