By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Scientists are sounding the alarm regarding synthetic chemicals prevalent in the food system, citing their contribution to increased cancer rates, neurodevelopmental issues, and infertility, while simultaneously damaging global agriculture. A recent report estimates the health burden from phthalates, bisphenols, pesticides, and PFAS chemicals could reach $2.2 trillion annually, with additional ecological costs. The study forecasts a potential decline of 200 to 700 million births between 2025 and 2100 due to exposure to endocrine disruptors. The research focuses on chemicals used in plastic additives, pesticides, and food contact materials.
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Synthetic chemicals in the food system creating a health burden of $2.2tn a year, as a report finds, is a staggering figure, and it’s something that really makes you stop and think. When you hear about trillions of dollars being tied to health problems stemming from what we eat, it’s hard not to feel a sense of unease. It’s easy to get caught up in the details, like the specific synthetic compounds, but the core issue is simple: the food we consume is increasingly laden with substances that seem to be harming us.
This raises questions about why this is happening. There’s a persistent feeling that something isn’t right, that the things we’re told are safe might not be. And when you look at how different countries handle food regulations, the contrast is stark. For example, the ingredients lists on food products in the UK versus the US often tell two very different stories. The UK lists a handful of recognizable ingredients, while the US often lists a laundry list of chemicals, many of which you need a degree to understand.
It’s tempting to brush off concerns about unfamiliar ingredients as just being ignorant. But the sheer volume of synthetic chemicals in our food is concerning, regardless of one’s level of scientific understanding. The point isn’t necessarily that every single additive is inherently dangerous, but the cumulative effect of consuming so many of these chemicals over a lifetime is worrying. And it’s not just the food itself; we have to think about the pesticides and herbicides used to grow the food in the first place, and the potential for these chemicals to linger in the environment.
The issue is about the planet. What are synthetic weather machines? The focus is on the long term and the question of profit. This isn’t a matter of opinion or being anti-science; it’s a matter of looking at trends and asking questions.
There’s the concerning issue of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The fact that these chemicals can seemingly evaporate and fall from the sky again is a stark reminder of how easily our environment can become contaminated. They’re a problem for those of us who consume them and also for the planet as a whole.
And then there’s the broader context of who benefits from this situation. We’re talking about a system where corporations can seemingly prioritize profit over public health, and where regulators may be slow to act, or worse, potentially influenced. It’s a complicated web of interests, and it’s easy to feel like the average person is left holding the bag.
One of the most concerning things is the impact on future generations. There is the worrying trend of declining educational performance in younger generations, some teachers report that it’s harder for kids to concentrate, to think critically, and to grasp basic concepts. While a variety of factors likely contribute to this, it’s hard to ignore the potential role of poor food quality. The food we eat impacts our brains and the long term effects of ingesting synthetic compounds can be dire.
The focus on the food system is about so much more than what’s on the label. It’s about questioning the incentives that drive the food industry, demanding transparency, and recognizing that our health is directly linked to the health of the planet.
Ultimately, this is a call to action. We can’t afford to be complacent. It’s about being informed consumers, demanding better food choices, and advocating for policies that prioritize public health and environmental sustainability over corporate profits. It’s time to demand that we take care of the soil and water that feed us, and to ask ourselves, as individuals and as a society, what kind of food system we want to support.