What are the 'forever chemicals' found in UK supermarkets?
Toxins known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pesticides or ‘forever chemicals’ have been found to be widespread across British fruit and vegetable produce, according to a new report.
Pesticide Action Network (PAN) UK analysed the government’s latest residue testing programme results and found that there are at least 10 different PFAS pesticides found across spices, fruits, and vegetables.
PFAS were found on supermarket foods such as spinach, tomatoes, grapes, and cherries, but strawberries were the worst offenders with 95% of the 120 samples of strawberries tested containing these pesticides.
PAN UK explains that a group of around 10,000 PFAS have been labelled as ‘forever chemicals’ as these have the ability to accumulate and remain in human blood, bones, and tissue.
"Estimates of the time it takes PFAS to fully degrade in the environment range from a decade to over 1,000 years," the report from PAN UK read.
"While they are generally used in household products such as non-stick cookware, certain pesticides contain PFAS which then make it into human bodies via diet."
Nick Mole, policy officer at PAN UK said that there is a growing body of evidence linking PFAS to serious diseases such as cancer, which is what makes these results ‘worrying’.
"It is deeply worrying that UK consumers are being left with no choice but to ingest these chemicals, some of which may remain in their bodies long into the future," he added.
"With some plastic food packaging also contaminated with PFAS, and PFAS present in UK drinking water and soil, we urgently need to develop a better understanding of the health risks associated with ingesting these ‘forever chemicals’ and do everything we can to exclude them from the food chain."
What are ‘forever chemicals’?
‘Forever chemicals’ are a group of 10,000 PFAS that do not occur in nature, Ruth Jamieson, functional nutritionist at ARVRA, explains.
"They are regarded as the most persistent synthetic chemicals to date, exhibiting minimal degradation in the natural environment," she adds.
"PFAS have been detected in the blood and breastmilk of people and wildlife globally. These chemicals are used in various industrial and consumer products due to their water and oil-resistant properties, such as paper and cardboard food packaging, non-stick cookware, textiles, cosmetics, and electronics."
How ‘forever chemicals’ can affect the body
"Studies suggest that if [‘forever chemicals’] reach a high enough concentration in our bodies, they increase the likelihood of health problems including impairment of the immune system, hormonal imbalances, increased cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and a higher risk of cancer," nutritionist at Riverford, Hannah Neville-Green, says.
Jamieson adds that these chemical can also impact reproductive health, foetal development, and lead to liver damage, thyroid disease and suppress immune responses among other issues.
"Additionally, they are associated with developmental issues in infants and children," she adds.
What foods commonly contain ‘forever chemicals’ and how to spot them
According to PAN UK’s report, fruit and vegetables are the main culprits in terms of foods with ‘forever chemicals’, but it’s not just healthy food that’s affected.
"A US study earlier this year also found that teas, pork, sweets, sports drinks, processed meat, butter, crisps and bottled water were amongst the highest drivers of levels of ‘forever chemicals’ in our diets," Neville-Green says.
The reason why fruit and vegetables are largely affected, Jamieson explains, is because they are often contaminated through environmental exposure.
"Such as contaminated water or soil used in agriculture, or food packaged in materials treated with PFAS, and items cooked with non-stick cookware treated with PFAS," she says.
"While you cannot see ‘forever chemicals’ you can assume most packaged foods, or foods cooked in non-stick pans have been contaminated with forever chemicals. You can also assume fish caught in contaminated water to have PFAS."
How to avoid ‘forever chemicals’ even when you’re on a budget
In terms of fruit and vegetables, one of the best ways to avoid ‘forever chemicals’ is to opt for organic produce – but this isn’t always possible on a budget.
"It's impossible to avoid these chemicals entirely, but you can absolutely reduce your exposure," Neville-Green explains.
"Buying organic produce will ensure that it has been grown without pesticides that contain forever chemicals. On a budget, prioritising those items with the highest pesticide residues such as strawberries, grapes, other berries and leafy greens can help keep costs down."
She also suggests minimising plastic packaging where possible, and opting for real, whole foods over ultra-processed foods.
"This is likely to reduce your exposure as processed and packaged foods have been found to contain higher levels," she adds.
Jamieson also recommends replacing non-stick cookware in your home.
"Replacing non-stick cookware is crucial for significantly lowering consumption," she says. "While PFAS-free non-stick cookware options are available, they might not always be budget-friendly. However, there are often overlooked alternatives such as stainless steel and cast-iron cookware, which can be more affordable. Investing in durable cookware like stainless steel or cast iron can save money in the long run too, as they can last a lifetime with proper care."
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