Foods may contribute to cancer

The old adage "you are what you eat" still bears some truth. Eat too many sweets and fatty foods, and you may end up overweight. Fill up on fruits and vegetables, and you'll reap the rewards. If you consume foods that are high in carcinogens, you may be at risk for developing certain types of cancers.

Many people likely feel that the foods they consume are safe. But much of the food consumed by Americans, Canadians and others across the globe contains carcinogens.

In June 2012, Wal-Mart was accused of breaching food safety standards in China by selling sesame oil with high concentrations of benzopyrene and squid that contained unsafe levels of cadmium. Both of these substances are carcinogenic.

Recently, Coca-Cola Co. and PepsiCo Inc. have made changes to their products in an effort to reduce concentrations of 4-methylimidazole, a substance used to give colas their caramel color. 4-MI was added to California's list of carcinogenic chemicals after studies linked it to cancer in laboratory rats.

Many forms of seafood have come under fire because of mercury and other harmful chemicals that wind up in water habitats.

According to NutritionFacts.org, of 100 samples of fast food chicken taken from area restaurants in California, all of them tested positive for carcinogenic heterocyclic amines, chemicals that form in meat when cooked at high temperatures, such as when chicken is barbecued.

Also, some foods naturally produce carcinogens. Tannic acid, which is found in tea, coffee and cocoa has been linked to liver tumors in animals.

There are a number of foods that contain carcinogenic ingredients, whether naturally produced or formed through manipulation of food sources. Knowing about these potential hazards can help individuals make more informed choices when choosing what to eat.

The Federal Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture routinely check the safety of foods and present guidelines to help people choose the foods and drinks they consume wisely. Many foods are being produced with the use of pesticides, hormones and other potentially hazardous substances. Here are some of the foods that may pose a significant threat.

* Meat products: Animals may be given hormones and antibiotics to stimulate weight gain, or as in the case of egg-laying hens, the production of eggs. They also may feed on foods that contain chemical pesticides. These chemicals can be stored in animals' fatty tissue, where they might be ingested by people who consume meat derived from these animals.

* Berries: It is estimated that up to 36 pesticides are sprayed onto strawberries, making them one of the most chemically-protected crops. Other fruits are routinely sprayed to keep bugs at bay.

* Apples: Half of the chemicals the USDA found on apples were neurotoxins, which may cause nervous system damage. Apple juice has recently come under fire because of high levels of arsenic contained in the beverage.

* Spinach: This leafy vegetable can be finicky and prone to contamination. Therefore, powerful pesticides may be used. In recent years, spinach has come under fire for containing salmonella.

* Coffee: Many times crops from overseas are sprayed with chemicals that are not regulated in North America. Imported coffee beans seem to be big offenders and might contain high levels of chemical contamination. The same can be said for imported grapes.

Consumers also can look for these substances, all of which are known carcinogens, on the list of ingredients of their favorite foods.

* acetaldehyde

* acetamide

* azo color and compounds

* benzene

* benzidine

* bis (2-Chloromethyl) ether

* cadmium

* chlorinated paraffin waxes

* 3,3-dichlorobenzidine

* dichloromethane

* hexachlorobenzene

* nitrites

* polychlorinated dibenzodioxins

* polychlorinated dibenzofurans

* polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

* safrole

* silica

* trichloroethylene

Although most people hope their food is safe, some foods may be harboring substances that are bad for human health. While washing produce and cooking foods to the right internal temperature may help fend off some potential carcinogens, this may not remove all of them. Individuals who are concerned about the foods they eat can purchase organic foods, which are highly regulated. Also, gardening at home and raising your own livestock (where practical) can put individuals in better control of the foods they eat.