Category: Contaminants

According to research, aflatoxin B1 is the most potent liver carcinogen associated with liver cancer in humans and animals. Knowing how to get rid of aflatoxin B1 is a critical step in reducing the health risks posed by this dangerous mycotoxin, which often contaminates staple crops like corn, peanuts, and other grains.

Studies worldwide, including those conducted on products in Korea and Ethiopia, have confirmed the presence of trace amounts of heavy metals like lead and cadmium in sugar products. This raises a critical question for consumers: does sugar have heavy metals, and what does this mean for our health and food safety?

The average person is exposed to small amounts of aluminum daily from many sources, with the aluminum in drinking water being more bioavailable than that in food. This raises an important question: Is aluminum in water bad for you and what are the specific health implications?

According to a 2020 study, mycotoxins, a type of naturally occurring xenobiotic, are one of the most prevalent food contaminants globally, with up to 80% prevalence in some food crops. What foods contain xenobiotics, and how do these foreign substances find their way into our diet?. This guide explores the various natural and man-made xenobiotics present in our food supply and offers practical advice for minimizing exposure.

In 2020, thousands of food products were recalled across the European Union due to contamination with ethylene oxide, revealing widespread supply chain issues and drawing international attention to this industrial chemical. Originally used as a fumigant and sterilant, its presence in food has led to serious health concerns and regulatory action in many countries.

According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), a significant percentage of herbal and black teas can contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), natural toxins produced by certain plants. Knowing which foods contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids is crucial for consumers seeking to minimize their exposure to these potentially harmful compounds.

A meta-analysis on heavy metal accumulation found that leafy vegetables, when grown in contaminated soil, tend to have a higher capacity for mercury enrichment compared to root crops or legumes. Understanding which vegetables have mercury and the environmental factors at play is crucial for managing dietary exposure to this toxic metal.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, perchlorate is commonly detected in a variety of foods and is present in the urine of most people tested in the U.S., indicating widespread environmental exposure. This ubiquitous chemical, a component in rocket fuel, finds its way into our food supply through multiple complex pathways.

According to a 2023 study published in *Environmental Science and Pollution Research*, microplastics were detected in 26 out of 29 packaged spirulina brands tested. This concerning discovery raises serious questions for health-conscious consumers: Does spirulina have microplastics, and what does this mean for the safety of this popular supplement?

According to reports from testing commissioned by Mamavation, 100% of the avocado oil brands they had tested by an EPA-certified lab contained detectable traces of phthalates, a fact that raises concerns about widespread contamination. The presence of these chemicals is not inherent to avocados, but rather introduced during processing, storage, and packaging.