Toxic 'forever chemicals' found in cereal products across Europe due to agricultural practices
The levels of toxic "forever chemicals," known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (Pfas), have been revealed to be high in many types of cereal products sold across Europe. The contaminants were detected in breakfast cereals, popular sweets, pasta, croissants, wholemeal bread, refined bread, flour, spaghetti, cheese scones, gingerbread, as well as other food items.
According to a recent study by Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN), the levels of TFA – a chemical produced when pesticides containing Pfas break down into the soil – were significantly higher in some cereal products than in tap water. The most contaminated cereals were found in Ireland, followed closely by Belgium and Germany.
The study analyzed 65 conventional cereal products purchased across 16 European countries, marking the first comprehensive investigation of its kind at the EU level. The results show that wheat-based products are more heavily contaminated with TFA than other types of cereal products.
The discovery highlights the widespread presence of Pfas in the food chain and underscores the urgent need for an immediate ban on these chemicals to prevent further contamination. Campaigners argue that governments must establish a far more protective safety limit for TFA and prohibit all Pfas pesticides and other sources of this toxic substance.
Critics warn that the widespread use of Pfas pesticides poses significant risks to human health, particularly reproductive function, fertility, and fetal development. The study found high levels of TFA in wine and some tap water samples as well.
"We cannot expose children to reprotoxic chemicals," said Angeliki Lysimachou, head of science and policy at PAN Europe. "This demands immediate action."
The levels of toxic "forever chemicals," known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (Pfas), have been revealed to be high in many types of cereal products sold across Europe. The contaminants were detected in breakfast cereals, popular sweets, pasta, croissants, wholemeal bread, refined bread, flour, spaghetti, cheese scones, gingerbread, as well as other food items.
According to a recent study by Pesticide Action Network Europe (PAN), the levels of TFA – a chemical produced when pesticides containing Pfas break down into the soil – were significantly higher in some cereal products than in tap water. The most contaminated cereals were found in Ireland, followed closely by Belgium and Germany.
The study analyzed 65 conventional cereal products purchased across 16 European countries, marking the first comprehensive investigation of its kind at the EU level. The results show that wheat-based products are more heavily contaminated with TFA than other types of cereal products.
The discovery highlights the widespread presence of Pfas in the food chain and underscores the urgent need for an immediate ban on these chemicals to prevent further contamination. Campaigners argue that governments must establish a far more protective safety limit for TFA and prohibit all Pfas pesticides and other sources of this toxic substance.
Critics warn that the widespread use of Pfas pesticides poses significant risks to human health, particularly reproductive function, fertility, and fetal development. The study found high levels of TFA in wine and some tap water samples as well.
"We cannot expose children to reprotoxic chemicals," said Angeliki Lysimachou, head of science and policy at PAN Europe. "This demands immediate action."
These forever chemicals are literally everywhere in our food now! I mean, I'm all for a safe breakfast cereal, but come on! 
It's like they're just dumping these toxins into the soil and then we eat them without even knowing. And it's not just cereals, apparently they're in pasta, croissants... basically anything that comes from wheat. 
️
It's not like we're gonna start producing food out of thin air or something. I just wish people would take this more seriously and demand that our governments do something about it. We should be able to trust the food we eat without worrying about what's in it. That's just common sense, right? 
this is a mess 
i mean what's the point of even buying organic if they're just gonna poison us with some toxic chemicals 
? 
. and seriously can't we just get rid of these forever chemicals already?! 
. gotta do something, but what?! 
how can that even be? I mean I know some countries have more lax regulations but cmon! 
we need to take action ASAP on this TFA ban & Pfas pesticide ban like seriously 
our health is literally on the line here 
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. I mean, can't they see how serious this is? We need to keep our kids safe and healthy, you know? The idea that we have to fight for a ban on these pesticides is just... ugh 
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OMG, can you believe it?! They're finding these toxic chemicals in cereal products everywhere? 
And it's not just cereals, wine and tap water too? 
We gotta make some changes. Governments need to step up and set some proper limits for TFA and ban those Pfas pesticides for good! 
. The levels of TFA are way higher than tap water? That's wild 
. I mean, we already knew pesticides were bad news, but this is on a whole other level 
. Governments gotta step up their game and set some serious safety limits ASAP 
. I mean, who knew cereal was a conduit to pesticide poisoning? 
The fact that Ireland is the most contaminated just shows how far we've fallen as consumers... we're not even willing to pay attention to what we put in our bodies anymore 
. 16 countries, 65 products - that's just crazy 
. We need action, not just a slap on the wrist 
gotta keep pushing for a ban on these pesticides!!! 
especially pregnant women and families with young kids 
