Study uncovers fast food items with microplastics linked to cancer and autism... is YOUR favorite on the list?
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Your favorite fast food might be teaming with microplastics linked to cancer, infertility and autism. Researchers tested more than 300 foods sold at restaurant chains and in grocery stores across America for two microscopic toxins. They found that of all fast food joints it was the salad chain Sweetgreen and Starbucks that scored poorest.
![[Of all of the food items tested, Sweetgreen's Chicken Pesto Parm Salad was found to contain the highest amount of phthalates, with an average of 47,971ng per serving (395g)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/19/93838375-14259969-image-m-43_1736276722016.jpg)
Sweetgreen's Chicken Pesto Parm Salad and Starbucks' matcha latte was found to contain the highest amount of phthalates, a group of chemicals used to make plastics more flexible and transparent. Shake Shack's cheeseburger had the third highest levels, with Burger King's Whopper with cheese, In-n-Out's cheeseburger 'Animal Style' and Taco Bell's cantina chicken burrito also ranking poorly.
![[Other food items with a high concentration of phthalates included Taco Bell's Cantina Chicken Burrito (28,036 ng per serving)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/21/93838373-14259969-Other_food_items_with_a_high_concentration_of_phthalates_include-a-20_1736286263051.jpg)
Phthalates are commonly used in food packaging materials and have been dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they don't break down once they enter the body, where they cause untold harms. Studies have shown they imitate the body's hormones and interfere with the production of - and response to - natural hormones like estrogen and testosterone.
![[Phthalates are commonly used in food packaging materials and have been dubbed 'forever chemicals' because they don't break down once they enter the body]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/21/93843589-14259969-Phthalates_are_commonly_used_in_food_packaging_materials_and_hav-m-31_1736286412878.jpg)
For their report, researchers from the group PlasticList, purchased nearly all the samples directly from grocery stores and restaurants around the Bay Area in San Francisco. An alarming study has revealed the high amount of toxic plastics lurking in a range of popular food and drinks, with fertility issues and cancer being among the negative health outcomes.
![[One Boba Tea equals 1.2 years of safe BPA consumption, according to the EFSA]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/07/21/93838365-14259969-One_Boba_Tea_equals_1_2_years_of_safe_BPA_consumption_according_-a-19_1736286263050.jpg)
