Latest news with #cassava
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
'Health halo' foods eaten by millions found to contain toxic lead linked to autism, cancer
Officials are sounding the alarm over an ingredient in hundreds of health foods over fears that it may increase the risk of autism and cancer. Cassava flour, made by grating and drying the fibrous cassava root, is used as a substitute for wheat and other flours in gluten-free and paleo-friendly chips, cookies and other snacks. However, the watchdog Consumer Reports has found these foods contain concerning levels of the toxic metal lead, which gets into the products in cassava. Health officials at the organization recently tested 27 popular cassava-made food items and found that nearly all of them had dangerous levels of lead. James Rogers, Head of Food Testing said in a statement: 'With the exception of some spices, we've never seen lead levels this high as we found in these cassava products.' Previous studies have linked lead exposure in children to learning disabilities, along with damage to the kidneys, reproductive, cardiovascular and digestive systems and autism spectrum disorder. Frequent exposure in adults is also linked to immune system suppression, increased risk of cancer, reproductive issues and kidney damage. Thrive Market has pulled and is investigating its cassava chips on the back of the findings. MadeGood has stopped using the flour in its crackers and Lesser Evil has begun phasing it completely out of its product line. However, brands such as Bob's Red Mill and Pamela's noted that their cassava products already carry California 's Proposition 65 warning labels - alerting buyers to potential lead content. Due to the products' widespread sale, the agency has asked consumers to reduce their number of servings of cassava products per week. Additionally, they found that that seven cassava products currently on the market had such high levels of lead that they advise avoiding those products entirely. These include Bob's Red Mill Cassava Flour, Otto's Naturals Organic Multi-Purpose Cassava Flour, Quay Naturals Premium Cassava Flour, 365 Whole Foods Market Sea Salt Cassava Tostones Cassava Chips, Jovial Organic Grain Free Cassava Spaghetti, Terrasoul Superfoods Cassava Flour and Thrive Market's Cassava Chips with Sea Salt. Several studies have found that cassava can be a significant source of lead exposure through food in people who eat it frequently. A 2015 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health study found that cassava grown in one region of Ghana was high enough in lead to raise the risk of health problems among people who ate it regularly. Moreover, a 2013 Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health study also found that lead levels in blood in people living in the Amazon were nearly four times higher than acceptable levels in the US. In the US, the Food and Drug Administration has determined that there is no safe level of lead exposure in adults or children. While lead exposure can be toxic for everyone, children younger than six years of age are at greatest risk for problems from it as their bodies absorb lead more easily - leading to lead poisoning. Lead poisoning occurs when minuscule amounts of the metal builds up in the body, often over months or years. Although lead-based paint in older buildings are most likely to cause poisoning, lead contaminated food, water and air can also affect children. Many children with lead poisoning have no symptoms but even low levels of the metal in their blood can lead to learning and behavior problems, such as trouble paying attention. Over time, these difficulties can push them towards the autism spectrum - as evidenced by numerous studies. Apart from this, lead exposure in adults can also lead to high blood pressure, kidney damage, increase the risk of cancer, reduce fertility and neurological issues. Numerous studies have shown that lead exposure either through paint, dust or food can increase risk of lung, kidney and brain cancer in those exposed - particularly workers.
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Popular health food eaten by millions found to be riddled with toxic metals linked to autism, cancer
Gluten-free may not be risk-free. An investigation has found that dozens of gluten-free products are riddled with toxic heavy metals linked to cancer and autism. The gluten-free market has boomed in the past decade, amid a wider shift toward 'clean eating', endorsements from celebrities like Victoria Beckham, and the perception that the foods under this label are 'healthier'. Cassava is a large root vegetable, popular among people on the diet because it doesn't contain gluten and is versatile; it can be ground into a flour to create gluten-free versions of snacks like cookies. The watchdog Consumer Reports tested 27 Cassava-based chips, cookies and crackers, among other products — and found some of them contained more lead than they had ever seen in more than a decade of product tests. Overall, two-thirds of the products contained more lead in a single serving than the organization's maximum level recommended — up to 2,000 percent above safe levels. Experts suggest Cassava may absorb lead from the ground, with the toxic metal either naturally occurring or left there by contaminated sewage sludge or fertilizers. Lead is dangerous because it can damage brain cells, with studies suggesting the toxic metal can leave people with learning difficulties and possibly even autism. James Rogers, the director of food and safety research at the organization, said: 'Some of these cassava products had the highest level of lead that we've ever tested, and I've been with Consumer Reports for eight and a half years. 'We never want consumers to panic, but we do want them to be aware so they can take proper measures to reduce their lead intake, since long-term lead exposure can lead to adverse health outcomes.' Eight products — mostly Cassava flour — contained such high levels of the toxic metal that the organization said people should avoid them entirely. Lead is a toxic heavy metal that is absorbed into the blood from contaminated foods and then travels to the brain, damaging cells. Studies have already linked lead exposure to a higher risk of learning difficulties and communication problems, with some even suggesting exposure in early life or in the womb may raise the risk of developing autism. The FDA says there is no safe level of lead exposure, while California says people should not be exposed to more than 0.5 micrograms of lead per day. Cassava is particularly popular among the more than 3 million gluten-free people in the US because it can be used to replicate much-loved snacks without exposing them to gluten. Among paleo-diet followers, it is a popular source of carbohydrates when many others — like bread and pasta — are off the menu. Between one and three million people in the US follow this diet, estimates claim. For the report, Consumer Reports tested one serving of Cassava-based products including chips, flour, crackers, bread, cookies, cereal, pasta, puff snacks, bars, and soda. Of the eight flours tested, four had lead levels that were so high consumers were told not to eat them. Three others had lead levels per serving between 200 and 600 percent the recommended level. Of the eight Cassava chips tested, two had levels that were so high that Consumer Reports said they should be avoided. In total, lead levels in the chips ranged from 600 to 1,700 percent. Overall, Bob's Red Mill Cassava Flour — sold in Walmart, health foods grocer Sprouts and others — was found to have the highest lead levels, at 2,343 percent higher than the recommended level. Also in the top ten were Whole Foods-own brand Sea Salt Cassava Tostones Cassava Chips, with lead levels 1,723 percent above the recommended level. Processing the vegetable into flour concentrates it, which experts say makes lead levels higher. The report tested the Cassava products for four heavy metals, with the other three being mercury, arsenic and cadmium. Mercury was found in none of the products, while there was a measurable amount of arsenic — commonly linked to pesticides, and can cause brain damage and cancer — in half. Cadmium, a toxic heavy metal that damages organs, was also detected in almost all of the products. Consumer Reports uses a much lower recommended lead level exposure of 0.5 micrograms per day, which it bases on California's safe limit. For comparison, the FDA says that exposure for adults should not exceed 8.8 micrograms per day. For children, it said this shouldn't exceed 2.2 micrograms. The difference is because California's limit is based on health concerns, while the FDA's indicates where damage has previously been observed. Rogers added: 'The negative effects of lead happen over time when there's chronic exposure, so you won't get lead poisoning if you eat one serving of these products. 'However, I would strongly urge consumers to reconsider using the seven products we listed to avoid.' Consumer Reports contacted 18 of the companies mentioned before publishing its findings, and also sent them their test results. Nine of them responded, with many saying that lead was a naturally occuring element that could not be completely avoided. Some also said that they test their ingredients or finished products for heavy metals. Several companies said that the products tested for the report have since been discontinued, with some acknowledging that concerns about lead in cassava played a role in the decision. Eight of the companies products carry warning labels on the back over higher lead levels. This is in line with California's Proposition 65, which requires any products with lead levels above 0.5 micrograms per serving to carry the warning.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ancient flatbread makes a comeback in Cuba as crisis bites
STORY: Cubans are turning to a dish from the distant past as the country experiences a dire economic crisis. Historians say this simple flatbread, known locally as casabe, has been around for over a thousand years. The dish only requires one ingredient: locally grown yucca root, also known as cassava. In recent times casabe has mostly been relegated to field hands and outposts in the countryside. But with imports and production of such basics as wheat flour, sugar and salt vastly reduced, some are giving the dish another look. Yudisley Cruz is the co-founder of Yucasabi, a restaurant that seeks to promote the consumption of yucca-based products. The small restaurant in touristy old Havana sells a single disc for about four cents, making it nutritious, delicious and affordable for both tourists and locals alike, Cruz said. "In a food crisis like the one we are currently experiencing, we believe casabe can also help alleviate this situation. In addition to its tradition and cultural value, it is a food that goes well with everything, both savory and sweet dishes. These casabe cakes contain no fat or salt, are very easy to digest, gluten-free, and therefore suitable for people with gluten allergies, who now have another dish to choose from." Casabe can be served alone or topped with any combination of onion, tomato, pork and garlic. Cassava producer Julio Cesar Nunez says casabe's simplicity remains the flatbread's top selling point. He says that historically, Indigenous people made it on stone using intense heat, before griddles came along and made production easier.
