Topline Perchlorate, a chemical used in rocket fuel, plastic and other substances, has been found in common grocery store and fast foods—with the highest levels in baby and kid foods—and previous research has found the chemical can cause thyroid issues and stunt brain growth in infants. baby vegetable puree on wooden background top view. Key Facts Researchers from the nonprofit Consumer Reports tested 196 samples of 73 grocery store foods and fast food items, and discovered roughly 67% contained “measurable” levels of perchlorate, according to the report published Wednesday.
Perchlorate is both a naturally occurring and man-made chemical that’s mostly used in the U.S. for rocket fuel and missiles, but is also found in soil, groundwater, surface water, certain plastics and many fertilizers, according to the Department of Toxic Substances Control.
Though the exact brands weren’t disclosed, the types of food products tested included beverages, seafood, meat products, dairy, baked products and grains, fast food, fruits and vegetables and baby and kid foods. The 67% of foods with measurable perchlorate levels ranged from amounts of 2 parts per billion, to 79 ppb, and the highest average levels of the chemical found in baby and kid foods—with an average level of 19.4 ppb of perchlorate—followed by fresh fruits and vegetables and fast food.
When comparing packaging types, foods in plastic containers had the highest levels—averaging almost 54 ppb—followed by foods.