Major danger in ready-to-eat food consumption

Pointing out the dangers in food delivery containers, Prof. Dr. Vedat Göral said, “A very good study was conducted abroad, according to which those who eat out are exposed to 35 percent more chemicals compared to those who eat home-cooked meals.

Especially children, young people, and pregnant women are at greater risk. Plastic plates are used, the plastics unfortunately leach into the food, and we eat it with pleasure. The most dangerous are the persistent chemicals called PFAS. Our body is under attack by chemicals and plastics, and it will come back to us as disease in the coming years,” he said.

Gastroenterology specialist Prof. Dr. Vedat Göral explained the dangers posed by containers, coffee cups, and gloves used for takeout food, which are made of materials supported by heat-resistant chemicals that prevent oil and water from leaking. Prof. Dr. Göral pointed out that in international studies, substances called PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” are transferred to the body through these products, leaving individuals facing serious problems.

"HIGH LEVELS OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES FOUND"

Stating that research has revealed important information regarding chemical exposure, Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Vedat Göral said, “A very good study was conducted abroad, according to which those who eat out are exposed to 35 percent more chemicals compared to those who eat home-cooked meals. When we eat out, we are exposed to more chemicals, low-quality oils, and a number of extra substances. Especially children, young people, and pregnant women are at greater risk. It is most prevalent in ready-to-eat foods like cheeseburgers and hamburgers. 

High levels of chemical substances have been found, especially in processed meats and packaging materials. Unfortunately, young people and university students always eat out and grow up without knowing the taste of home-cooked meals. The chemicals entering the body may cause cancer in the future or trigger its formation. Furthermore, certain diseases can occur in reproductive organs, and various endocrinological disorders may develop in the future. 

Sometimes, acute illness can occur, meaning the body may react the moment it is exposed to the chemical substance. The most dangerous of these are chemicals called PFAS, and these are truly persistent chemical substances. These chemicals, which can remain in body tissues for many years, unfortunately remain in nature because they are not cleaned from the environment. Plastic bags have even been seen in the stomachs of whales; the whale doesn't eat it, we throw it away, we pollute the environment, and the fish consumes it. Our body is under attack by chemicals and plastics; we need to reduce this slowly because in the coming years, this will come back to us as disease,” he said.

"WE MUST STAY AWAY FROM PLASTIC ITEMS"

Explaining that the containers in which products purchased or ordered from outside are delivered harbor many dangers, Prof. Dr. Göral continued: “The materials brought are delivered in a plastic plate or used in a cardboard box. Even in cardboard cups, there is plastic; the hot water there melts the plastic in the cardboard cup.

Plastic is already leaching into the hot water or tea we drink, so if possible, glass or porcelain cups should be used. Certain plastics are used in the transport and wrapping of food to prevent it from cooling, and these are also harmful. 

Gloves are used, especially in kneading raw meatballs (çiğ köfte) or in some restaurants, partly for show. Gloves are actually not innocent either; they also contain chemical substances. We must stay away from chemicals and plastic items as much as possible; these come back to us as disease in the future. Plastic plates are used, unfortunately, they leach into the food, and we somehow eat it with pleasure. After being taken orally, it reaches the intestines; we don't notice this, they are absorbed, and then they travel to all organs via the blood. 

CHILDREN ARE AT RISK

Especially in children, behavioral and developmental disorders can occur, and in adults, endocrine and hormonal disorders, and even changes leading to cancer can occur. These are not innocent; they can cause damage to those tissues. For example; diabetes, kidney diseases, and liver disease can occur. Plastics can damage the organ where they accumulate.

There is plastic everywhere, from ready-to-drink coffees to the storage of meat at the butcher, the bags used to wrap meat, in our homes, in our clothing, and even in our socks. Meals are packed for children to eat at school, and they are given in plastic plates with plastic spoons and forks; this is extremely wrong.

If caution is not exercised during pregnancy, the child is unfortunately born exposed to plastic. We must stay away from plastic, ready-to-eat foods, acidic beverages, fast food, and processed foods. Walking and sports are very important. The biggest cause of obesity is processed foods; those who consume these also bring an acidic beverage alongside them, and these are the biggest factors triggering obesity.”