Frozen dinners, often a convenient solution for quick meals, may harbor harmful chemicals that pose health risks, according to an Environmental Working Group (EWG) report by Chloe Beittel. The study highlights the presence of toxic additives like TBHQ in products such as Kikuet Lasagna Tacos and Black Label Little Sizzlers Original Pork Sausage, with implications for the immune system and potential links to food allergies. Common preservatives BHA and BHT found in various frozen foods, including Digiorno Stuffed Supreme and Ramona’s Burritos, are classified as potential human carcinogens, disrupting the endocrine system and causing thyroid damage. Synthetic food dyes like Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6 in items such as Tower Isle’s Jamaican-Style Hot Beef Patties have been associated with behavioral and learning difficulties in children. The report emphasizes the regulatory loopholes that permit these chemicals, urging consumers to scrutinize labels, opt for organic alternatives, and consult EWG’s Food Scores database for safer frozen food choices.
Reference: Chloe Beittel (EWG). (2023, September 6). Freezer Finds: Toxic Chemicals in Frozen Meals May Cause Health Harms. Environmental Working Group (EWG). https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/2023/09/freezer-finds-toxic-chemicals-frozen-meals-may-cause-health-harms?utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=202403Newsletter2&utm_medium=email&utm_content=default&emci=cf0dd4a0-66d9-ee11-85f9-002248223794&emdi=d20dd4a0-66d9-ee11-85f9-002248223794&ceid=4513152