Plastic Found In Fast Food Items Linked To Health Problems: Study

For those who enjoy the occasional dinner at restaurants like McDonald's, Pizza Hut, or Chipotle, a new study released this week found they could be getting a bit more for their money than a cheeseburger or slice of pizza.

The study by researchers at George Washington University found that a majority of food items purchased at more than 60 fast-food chain restaurants contained small amounts of industrial chemicals called phthalates, which are used to make plastics soft, according to a report by The Washington Post. Phthalates are linked to numerous health problems, including fertility and reproductive problems, as well as increased risk for learning, attention and behavioral disorders in children.

Samples were purchased from restaurants including Burger King, Domino's and Taco Bell.

In the study, foods containing meats had higher levels of phthalates — chicken burritos and cheeseburgers testing highest. Cheese pizzas and fries had the lowest levels of most chemicals tested.

Read more via The Washington Post