• The EFSA warned about the health risk of cancer-causing chemical compounds in everyday food
• The EU agency studied ten nitrosamines that may damage the DNA
• The level of exposure to nitrosamines raises health concerns due to their alleged cancer-causing effects

An EU agency study reveals the impact of cancer-causing chemical compounds on the health of individuals.

Last Wednesday, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) said these chemicals were found in most available foods.

 EU Study Detects Cancer-Causing Compounds

The EFSA stated it observed the level of exposure of most age groups in the EU to nitrosamines in food items, which may pose a health concern, reported The Straits Times.

Based on the EFSA study, such compounds can be found in cured meat, processed fish, cocoa, beer, and other alcoholic beverages. Most nitrosamines are found in the most crucial food groups, cited Today Online.

EFSA noted that the study shows that the health risk of these nitrosamines would be minimized by consuming sausages that are processed in moderation, noted EFSA.

According to the agency, the controlled limits of nitrates and nitrites present in meat stuff are to protect the consumers. A diet that is balanced and varies should dispel health concerns. These nitrosamines are formed when nitrogenic substances are added to the cured meat. 

These chemicals are present in bacon and sausages, with it as flavoring to stop bacteria from flourishing. Such substances form in cured meat like raw ham and salami.

In March, the EFSA highlighted knowledge gaps about nitrosamines in the food items concerned. Dr. Dieter Schrenk of the EFSA commented about these contaminants in the food chain. He explained that these contaminants may cause cancer, "although that is unlikely."

Read Also:  Researchers Say the Unvaccinated Can Get Reinfection From COVID-19

Cancer-Causing Compounds in Consumer Items

The EFSA warned about the presence of chemical compounds nitrosamines in available consumer items. These ten nitrosamines are usually not present but formed when prepared and processed, which is carcinogenic and genotoxic. It causes cancer and damages the genes based on conclusions by the agency, per Head Topics.

Dr. Schrenk added in this study that the level of nitrosamine exposure is a health concern. How much was ingested determines the level of risk for individuals.

Based on animal studies made to investigate the danger to people, one was done to check it out. In one such study, the test subjects were rats that developed liver tumors, which is the most considerable health effect.

The public should be mindful of cured meat, processed fish, and other items that have nitrosamines. But meat is where caution is important not to ingest too much.

Concerns over cancer-causing compounds that were mentioned by an EU study are essential. It highlights the nitrosamine content in food, which should be controlled in foods eaten.

Related Article: Researchers Reveal COVID-19 Autopsies Show How SARS-CoV-2 Spreads