Teflon in Food Packaging by Liora Leah

Teflon, chemically known as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) isn't just a coating on cookware. It's now in food packaging. PFOA's have been linked to cancer, male birth defects, and other health problems.

Teflon is in Your Food Packaging and You Don't Even Know It

Perfluorooctanoic acid, or PFOA, is used to make Teflon and nonstick cookware. Studies have shown that PFOA causes cancer and other health problems in laboratory animals. PFOA is one of the toxic chemicals released when Teflon-coated pans are overheated.

Carcinogens in Popcorn Packaging

Now it's been reported that there are likely other major sources of PFOA out there -- items like food containers and packaging. Fluorotelomers, which are chemicals used in food packaging as well as in rugs and clothing, break down into PFOA in the environment and when you ingest them. Several animal studies have demonstrated this, including one by the Environmental Protection Agency.

In one frightening example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has looked at microwaveable popcorn packaging and found that PFOA is not only present, but that it migrates to the oil from the packaging during heating.

Other than microwave popcorn bags, fluorotelomers are used in:

Packaging for fast foods like sandwiches, chicken and French fries
Packaging for pizza, bakery items, drinks and candy

Paper plates

It's in Your Blood

PFOA can now be found in the blood of 90 percent of Americans, and in one study that tested 600 children, 96 percent had PFOA in their blood. Unfortunately, while you can choose whether or not to use Teflon pans, there is currently no way for consumers to tell if packaging contains fluorotelomers.

Food Consumer http://www.foodconsumer.org/777/8/Is_there_an_extra_ingredient_in_nonstick_pa...

July 27, 2005

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Teflon toxicity isn't anything new. I have been warning you of the dangers for many years http://www.mercola.com/2001/aug/1/teflon.htm . What is new is that this dangerous chemical is showing up all around us now. It seems to be pervasive and our clueless regulatory agencies aren't doing a darn thing to protect you from it.

My new book coming out this fall will review the reasons why this is so. If you ever thought the FDA was protecting you from this type of chemical assault, you better get a firm grip on reality because they aren't.

You will need to take the situation into your own hands. The first step is to toss out every pan in your house that has Teflon on it. The moment you heat the pan is starts to vaporize and this toxic chemical will go into your bloodstream. I know it is hard to believe, but it is true. It took me a few years to become convinced, but once you are you have no logical choice but to throw those pans out and never buy another one.

Remember DuPont is the maker of Teflon, and they are the same company that brought you silicon breast implants. They are no defender and crusader for your health.

Many have asked me about alternatives to Teflon. Some have pointed out a non-stick, ceramic-coated titanium that is clearly not Teflon. I thought it looked intriguing, and on my recent trip to Costco I found this product. I honestly thought it might have been the same new titanium nanotechnology http://www.mercola.com/blog/2004/jun/11/windows_that_clean_themselves that allows windows to clean themselves.

The salesman was absolutely clueless about the chemicals in the pan, but so was the company when I called them up. I finally was able to get the name of the manufacturer of the coating and once I called them I confirmed that the coating on the pan was indeed not Teflon. However, it was still a fluoride analog that was virtually identical to it. The only advantage of this product is that the ceramic prevents the finish from chipping as easily.

Lesson learned?

If it looks like a duck (Teflon) and works like a duck (Teflon), it probably is Teflon or something so close to it your body will never tell the difference.

You simply MUST throw these pots and pans away. Do not leave them in your home or you will be tempted to use them. Please believe me; I am absolutely convinced they are very dangerous and you should not be exchanging the convenience for the health damage.

Related Articles:

More Troubles With Teflon Toxicity http://www.mercola.com/2005/jun/7/teflon_toxicity.htm

Could Your Kitchenware be Causing Your Health Problems? http://www.mercola.com/2005/feb/2/kitchenware.htm

EPA Says Teflon Could Put Your Health at Risk

http://www.mercola.com/2005/feb/2/teflon.htm

"Other chemicals suspected of disturbing the male reproductive tract are bisphenol A and polybrominataed diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) used as flame retardants, and perfluorooctanoic acids (PFOAs) use as surfactants in manufacturing DuPont's Teflon." From: "Male Birth Defects Increase" http://curezone.com/blogs/m.asp?f=309&i=107

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Thanks to Your Enchanted Gardener for submission of the above article

"Plant Your Dream" http://curezone.com/blogs/f.asp?f=92&t=47464