Category: Environmental health

Roughly one-third of all food produced globally for human consumption is lost or wasted each year, a staggering fact highlighted by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This reality underpins a global movement focused on rethinking our food systems and answering a critical question: what does sustainable nutrition mean?

A recent study from Mamavation found indications of PFAS “forever chemicals” in 50% of the butter wrappers tested from various brands. This discovery has raised consumer awareness, leading many to question which butter does not have PFAS and how they can best protect themselves from potential contamination.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that there is no known safe level of lead exposure, and even low concentrations can cause serious health problems. Understanding what 1.0 ppb lead means is the first step toward protecting your family from this toxic heavy metal.

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the primary source of exposure to BPA for most people is through their diet. Understanding where is BPA found in food is therefore essential for mitigating exposure and protecting your health. While its use is declining, Bisphenol A remains a concern in certain packaging types.

Stable cesium is a naturally occurring element that is chemically similar to potassium, with research showing it is absorbed and distributed throughout the body in a comparable manner. However, what cesium does in the body differs dramatically depending on whether the isotope is stable or radioactive, with high-level exposure to the radioactive form posing significant health risks.

According to the National Institutes of Health, the tolerable upper intake level (UL) for manganese in adults is 11 mg per day; exceeding this level, particularly through chronic exposure via inhalation, can be highly toxic. While an essential trace mineral, the body’s homeostatic mechanisms can be overwhelmed by high doses, resulting in serious health consequences, predominantly affecting the nervous system.

Recent studies have detected microplastic contamination in anchovies from oceans worldwide, with a Black Sea study finding up to 88% of individuals contained plastic items. This widespread issue is driven by their filter-feeding habits and highlights the global reach of plastic pollution in our marine food systems.

While lead contamination is not common in commercially farmed meat, studies confirm that wild game harvested with lead ammunition can contain lead fragments. The presence of lead in meat is a public health concern, as exposure is particularly harmful to children and pregnant women.

Conventional farming has released 50-70% of the carbon stored in the world's soils, driving interest in more sustainable approaches. While both organic and regenerative farming have emerged as alternatives, a combined approach known as "regenerative organic" is now gaining attention for its potential benefits.

According to a 2024 study, microplastics were found in 88% of protein samples, including beef. This widespread contamination has consumers asking critical questions, especially, are there microplastics in grass-fed beef? While no food source is entirely exempt, understanding the pathways can help mitigate the risk.