“Arsenic alarm in food, health risks and products to avoid”
A frightening announcement has been made regarding the presence of arsenic in various food products and the serious health consequences it may have. This news has raised concerns and has sparked a call for people to pay attention to the foods they consume.
Arsenic is an omnipresent element in nature and can be found in minerals, rocks, soil, water, and air, as well as in the tissues of animals and plants. However, the recent alarm has highlighted the presence of arsenic in certain foods and the potential health risks associated with its ingestion.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) conducted an analysis of food conditions at the request of the European Commission, using the MOE methodology to determine the margin of exposure to arsenic. The lower the MOE, the greater the negative consequences, due to the higher levels of arsenic found in the food. If the percentage is 1 or below, the presence of arsenic in the food is considered very high and has potential health risks such as skin, lung, and bladder cancers, as well as cardiovascular, renal, and neurological diseases.
The analysis revealed that rice and cereals, foods recommended for a healthy and balanced diet, are the main sources of arsenic. Additionally, the substance is indirectly present in other foods that are processed with these products. Fish and shellfish may also contain organic forms of arsenic, which are less dangerous, while drinking water may also contain small quantities of arsenic.
This alarming news has emphasized the need to be more cautious about the foods we consume and to ensure that they are harmless to human health. While following a healthy diet is important, it is crucial to avoid products that may contain harmful substances like arsenic. It is now more important than ever for consumers to be educated and vigilant about the foods they eat in order to protect their health and wellbeing.