Traces of Flame Retardant, Now Found In Butter

A chemical called poly brominates biphenyl ether also known as PBDE was found in a stick of butter purchased from a local grocery chain in Dallas. This is the first time that the PBDE contamination was found in butter; the source of the contamination remains a mystery. The Flame Retardants are not edible as it is only used to slow down the smoke in fires and they are certainly not a food component and doesn’t  belong any where near food items. 

Traces of PBDE were found more on the wrapper of the butter and its means that either the wrapper was contaminated before it reached the factory or there was a possibility of the wrapper being contaminated in the factory itself.

All humans have a high percentage of fire retardants in their body and it is all because the environment is loaded with it the negative health effects especially in the growing children. In animals the PBDE’s are associated with liver cancer and neuro-behavioral alterations but their effect on humans still need to be confirmed.

This really motivates us to be careful when we buy our groceries and try out our level best to buy from hygienic stores and eat hygienically so that our overall health doesn’t get affected. These types of incidence have become a common occurrence and so we need to take precautions while eating.

Though you can refer this incident as an isolated one and it certainly is not represented by the product category but further investigation is essential so that these things can be avoided as much as possible and will not end up ruining people’s health. The positive thing is that there are many reliable companies that even recall their product if there seems to be any problem with them. These sure are caring people who are not concerned only in mercenary benefits but also care for people’s health in the real way. 

PDBE’s are found in the environment that is air, water and soil. Though the levels of PBDEs are quite limited in the environment, while research states the main source of exposure of PDBE’s in humans is through indoor and outdoor dust and food items including breast milk. You can minimize the risk of exposure to the PDBE”s in your life by buying household items those are free from PBDE’s.

What is the  world coming to as even our butter seems to contain high levels of a Flame Retardant that is used in electronics according to the environmental scientist from the University Of Texas School Of Public Health.

The author is an associated editor at IslamTribune a US based Online News Magazine, which tries to address the issues pertaining to people around the world especially the muslim community. Visit IslamTribune.com for Breaking News, Current Affairs and blogs run by people who have more to share with this world.