The safety of our food is paramount but concerns continue to grow about the effects of chemicals used in food production on our health. It’s important to know where our food is coming from and what potential risks there are from the chemicals used in its production and in the packaging it’s sold in.
Here are 5 simple tips to follow to minimise your family’s health risks from food.
Buy organic. Yes, it’s a little bit more expensive but you can trust that the products you’re buying have been grown free from pesticides and chemicals. Many organic products are also grown locally so you’re also doing your bit for the environment.
Wash all vegetables thoroughly under running water to remove all traces of any of the pesticides used in growing. Buy vegetables loose where possible to minimise the amount of plastic packaging.
Read the labels of everything you buy. For example, across the EU, regulations demand that all food products should carry labelling that lists ingredients, allergy information and place of origin. Labelling should also by law tell you if this product has been made using genetically modified organisms, so-called GM foods. With the jury still out on the exact health benefits and risks associated with GM foods, it’s essential that you have all the information you need to make an informed choice about whether to eat such foods.
Avoid farmed fish and go for fish that has been wild caught. Research has shown cancer risks associated with farmed fish because of the toxic contaminants they contain. Other risks associated with farmed fish are mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBS), chemicals linked to lower IQ levels.
Eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables to ensure that you reduce your risk of exposure to a single pesticide.
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