Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the list of foods contained the highest concentration of perchlorate, but in fact these foods were only tested for the presence of perchlorate.
According to a study by Consumer Reports magazine, perchlorate, a chemical found in rocket fuel, has contaminated both water and food and is more likely to be found in foods given to infants and young children.
The chemical is naturally occurring and man-made, but according to the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Agency, it is increasingly being found in groundwater.
This is a problem, according to Dr. James Rogers, director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports.
Rogers, a trained food and water microbiologist, says most of the foods contaminated with perchlorate were children’s foods such as cereal and chicken nuggets.
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Foods tested for perchlorate
According to the study, researchers analyzed “196 samples from 63 supermarket products and 10 fast food products.” These product categories had the highest levels of perchlorate:
According to Rogers, Consumer Reports tested the following foods for perchlorate:
◾ Beef burritos
◾ Chicken sandwiches
◾ French fries
◾ Fried chicken
◾ Chicken nuggets
◾ Steak Tacos
◾ Macaroni and cheese (Note: According to the Food and Drug Administration, packaged macaroni and cheese contained below-average levels when tested between 2005 and 2006.)
◾ Rice flakes
◾ Multigrain muesli
◾ Whole milk yoghurt
How does perchlorate get into our food and water?
According to the study, perchlorate gets into our food and water through “water contaminated by improper perchlorate disposal, plastics made using the chemical and then used to store food, and bleach – which can break down into perchlorate in food processing plants and water utilities.”
What is a dangerous level of perchlorate?
The foods tested did not contain dangerous levels of perchlorate, but Rogers adds that there is no strict definition of what is considered a “dangerous level.”
“The Europeans, for example, have their own ideas about a certain level,” Rogers said. “That would probably be different from what the FDA would ultimately do, (but) we don’t yet know what that level is.”
Medical experts may believe that the FDA-recommended level should be lowered, which would make the situation even more confusing.
“That’s what usually happens,” Rogers said. “Research experts believe that the level is usually lower than what our federal regulators set. And sometimes even states like California, a very progressive state, and Massachusetts set even lower levels.”
States like the one he mentioned “seem to be a little more sensitive when it comes to what is a truly safe value” and can quickly enact regulations.
What effect does perchlorate have on the thyroid?
Rogers says consuming dangerous amounts of this chemical can have negative effects on the thyroid.
“Thyroid hormones affect metabolism, and poor thyroid function in this case can lead to type 2 diabetes,” said Rogers, who is also director of product safety testing and has worked at Consumer Reports for more than seven years.
In adults, thyroid problems can lead to type 2 diabetes, but in children and fetuses, they can cause neurodevelopmental complications that “can lead to a reduction in children’s IQ.”
According to the Food and Drug Administration, high levels of perchlorate exposure can affect the thyroid in several ways. It can interfere with iodine uptake into the thyroid, disrupt thyroid functions, and potentially lead to a reduction in thyroid hormone production.
How can you avoid eating or drinking perchlorate?
There is no real way to avoid ingesting this chemical.
“Whether you eat organic food or not has no bearing on whether you are exposed to this chemical,” Rogers said.
To avoid drinking perchlorate, Rogers recommends testing the water. If perchlorate is found, people can purchase a reverse osmosis filter to remove it from the faucet.
What is perchlorate used for?
It is a chemical produced in the United States and used as a solid fuel for rockets and missiles.
It is also used to make highway safety flares, fireworks, matches, pyrotechnics, explosives, common batteries and car restraint systems.
What can you do about perchlorate?
This was the first test for perchlorate in food and water in over a decade. There are currently no federal regulations on the chemical, but the Environmental Protection Agency plans to set limits on perchlorate by November 21, 2025, according to the Consumer Reports study.
Contributor: Bianca Harris, USA TODAY
Julia is a trends reporter for USA TODAY. She has covered a variety of topics, from local business and government in her hometown of Miami to technology and pop culture. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or follow her on X, formerly Twitter, Instagram And TikTok: @juliamariegz
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rocket fuel chemicals found in food and water, Consumer Reports says
