Thanksgiving dinner often includes stovetop stuffing, but some families may decide to take it off the menu after learning it's prohibited in other countries.
This beloved Thanksgiving staple contains two ingredients linked to cancer, and the health risks are serious enough to ban the ingredients in several European countries. According to to the New York Post. The turkey version consists of a mixture of bread, high fructose corn syrup, and other ingredients such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). These two man-made chemicals are used to enhance flavor and extend shelf life, but have been identified as potential carcinogens that can cause a variety of health problems. According to Go to the National Library of Medicine.
SAN FRANCISCO – NOVEMBER 23: Boxes of stovetop stuffing await distribution at the San Francisco Food Bank on November 23, 2009 in San Francisco, California. As the United States continues to struggle with the recession and unemployment rates are at record highs, demand for food banks is increasing as the holiday season approaches. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
BHA and BHT are prohibited in the UK, European Union and Japan.
BHA, in particular, is recognized as a carcinogen in the United States and is known to increase the risk of cancer when ingested. However, both additives are still legal in the United States and continue to appear on the ingredient lists of countless processed and boxed foods that Americans consume on a regular basis.
Despite the warning, Kraft continues to sell millions of boxes of stovetop stuffing ahead of Thanksgiving.
Dr. Neha Pathak, a member of WebMD's medical team, addressed the issue in an interview with The Post on Wednesday.
“Many countries have much stricter rules about what is allowed.[ed] In food,” she said.
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 26: A chef pours mole sauce over a turkey fillet as part of Rosa Mexicano's Thanksgiving Dinner near Lincoln Center on November 26, 2020 in New York City. The pandemic continues to put a strain on restaurants and bars, with businesses struggling to thrive as government regulations and social distancing plans evolve, impacting continued operations while challenging profitability. I am doing it. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
She acknowledged that there is growing evidence that consuming BHA and BHT is harmful, and increased cancer risk is at the top of the list of concerns.
“This type of preservative is banned in the European Union, mainly because of the cancer risk,” Pathak said. “The cancer risk is alarming and certainly reasonably expected based on the research we have.”
“There are a number of animal studies showing that high doses can cause tumor development in rats and hamsters,” she said of the recent findings. “It is classified as reasonably expected to be a human carcinogen.”
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 21: Recording artist Big Sean helps distribute Thanksgiving dinner at the 2017 All-Star Giveback: Thanksgiving Edition on November 21, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
In addition to increasing cancer risk, these chemicals are also suspected to be endocrine disruptors, which can interfere with hormonal function and affect reproductive and developmental health, he said. did.
A spokesperson for the Stove Top brand defended the use of raw materials to the outlet, saying: “Every box is carefully crafted to the same high quality standards we use across all of our brands, and at the same time rigorously This exceeds all safety standards.” These are guidelines established by government agencies. ”
“We are proud to provide Stove Top to families this Thanksgiving,” the spokesperson continued. (Related: Processed food stocks fall after RFK Jr. announcement)
These health risks are not limited to stove top stuffing. BHT and BHA are found in a variety of other foods including, but not limited to, cereals, snacks, and processed meats. Americans may find it interesting to note the following A long list of frequently purchased items Something commonly consumed in the United States even though it does not meet other countries' health standards.
