World: A study by the Environmental Working Group suggested that a food preservative can harm the immune system. The preservative might cause harm to the immune system that is used to prolong the shelf life of Rice, Krispies Treats, Cheez-Its, and almost 1250 other processed foods.
To assess the health hazards of the most common chemicals added to food, the EWG researchers used the data from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxicity Forecaster.
The EWG’s analysis showed that the preservative tert-butylhydroquinone harms the immune system. During the global pandemic, this finding is of particular concern. Olga Naidenko, Lead author of the study said, “The pandemic has focused public and scientific attention on environmental factors that can impact the immune system”.
He further added, “Before the pandemic, chemicals that may harm the immune system’s defense against infection or cancer did not receive sufficient attention from public health agencies. To protect public health, this must change”.
The processed foods can be made without the potentially harmful ingredients, so the shoppers must read the labels carefully. The EWG recommends that immunotoxicity testing must be prioritized for chemicals in food to protect public health from their potential harm to the immune system. The FDA should also review the additives like TBHQ to reflect new science.