Consumer Beliefs Concerning Intentional and Unintentional Additives in Health Food Breads: Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Pesticide Residues

Journal of Food Protection
Lynda PeringianR A Leavitt

Abstract

The majority of one-hundred and fifty respondents to a consumer knowledge questionnaire believed breads purchased in health food stores to be free of pesticides as well as other additives. To determine the correctness of this belief, analyses were completed to compare the presence of PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and 12 chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides in five brands of bread purchased in health food stores ("health" breads) and five purchased at supermarkets ("traditional" breads). One "health" bread actually contained stoneground organic whole wheat flour. No statistical differences were noted between the breads. The average level of chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide contamination for each "health" bread as well as for each "traditional" sample was 4.8 ppb based on the weight of a 100-g, wet sample. There was no statistical difference in the moisture content between the two bread types. The product using "organic" flour also contained residues. The most commonly occurring residue and the one present in highest concentrations was p,p'-DDT. All residues, though, were present at extremely low levels. PCBs were not detected in any sample. The data indicate that the high price of "health" breads is not justified solely by the...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part. B, Pesticides, Food Contaminants, and Agricultural Wastes
Agata Witczak, Hassan Abdel-Gawad
Report on Carcinogens : Carcinogen Profiles
National Toxicology Program
Report on Carcinogens : Carcinogen Profiles
Archives of Environmental Health
D P Morgan, C C Roan
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved