Cancer-causing food warning issued
(Najamuddin Ghanghro, Karachi ( Original from Larkana))
Ready-made pies and pickles
could increase cancer risks this Christmas, a health charity has warned.
Breast Cancer UK is offering a series of tips about what to eat and what to
avoid during the festive period to help families reduce the risk of developing
breast cancer.
It urges families to opt for organic and chemical-free products when possible.
Pre-prepared pie fillings and pickles can contain parables, a class of chemicals
which disrupt the hormone system and are linked to breast cancer but which are
commonly used as preservatives.
Clare Dimmer, chairman of Breast Cancer UK, said: "Many of the gifts and festive
food we buy can contain chemicals that increase our risk of breast cancer, so we
thought we'd share some toxic-free tips this Christmas.
"With breast cancer rates at an all-time high this year, choosing alternatives
to these products is a great way to help protect the health of family and
friends."
The charity is warning people to take care when reheating leftovers in the
microwave because plastic containers contain chemicals such as bis phenol A
(BPA) which can leak into the food.
This chemical is also in the resin lining of food tins, so customers should look
for ones which are BAP-free.
People looking to buy pampering gifts this Christmas should avoid products with
strong, synthetic fragrances and instead use natural products or even make their
own moisturizer with raw coconut or olive oil.
Parents buying toys or other plastic products should avoid PVC plastic labelled
No.6 and No.3 because they contain hormone-disrupting chemicals which are banned
in toys for very young children across the EU but which may still be present in
soft plastic.
Plastic cups and plates should also be thrown out when scratched, or after they
have been used regularly in a dishwasher and or microwave. Old plastic products
are more likely to leak chemicals.