Supermarket food may be contaminated by a highly toxic chemical found in the glue of packaging labels. The chemical, which is in the same class of toxicity as mercury, asbestos and hydrochloric acid, can seep through and contaminate food, according to a study.
It has been found in high levels on some of the sticky labels attached to packages of fresh meat, vegetables and tubs of sauce.
Researchers from the University of Zaragoza, Spain studied four different acrylic adhesives commonly used on food labels. They examined in detail 11 compounds found in the glues, four of which seeped through the packaging.
Three of these had low toxicity while the remaining compound belonged to the highest risk category.
[Source]
Chapter: Food :: 21 June 2010
