Popular Snack Foods May Increase Exposure to Toxins Linked to Cancer and Other Health Issues, Study Finds

Key Points:

• A Rutgers University study found mycotoxins, toxic chemicals produced by mold and fungi, in every urine sample from 33 pregnant women in New Jersey, with higher exposure linked to consumption of corn and grain products like popcorn, corn chips, and corn tortillas.
• The study focused on zearalenone, a mycotoxin that mimics estrogen and can contaminate crops such as corn, wheat, and oats; it can also persist through meat and dairy from animals fed contaminated feed.
• Zearalenone exposure has been associated with greater weight gain during pregnancy and lower infant birth weight, raising concerns about its potential impact on fetal development.
• Despite its inclusion in the FDA’s Mycotoxin Compliance Program in 2024, there are currently no maximum allowable limits for zearalenone in food, prompting calls for increased awareness and research on its effects during pregnancy.
• The World Health Organization advises inspecting and properly storing grains, nuts, and dried fruits to minimize mycotoxin exposure, recommending discarding any items that appear moldy or discolored.