Khaberni - French experts warned of potential health risks from consuming croissants and daily foods, due to their content of cadmium linked to serious diseases.
Health experts in France issued warnings about a number of daily foods, including croissants, baguettes, and breakfast cereals, after detecting worrying levels of toxic cadmium, which is associated with some types of cancer.
According to a report published based on data from the French Food Safety Agency, nearly half of the population may be exposed to high quantities of this metal through their diet, as it is widely used in agricultural fertilizers, leading to its leakage into the soil and subsequently transferring to staple foods.
The experts explained that bread and pastries, alongside pasta, rice, and potatoes, are among the main sources of cadmium exposure, where food represents the largest share of consumption for non-smokers, potentially reaching up to 98%.
Studies have linked continuous exposure to cadmium to increased risks of developing cancers of the pancreas, bladder, prostate, and breast, in addition to its negative effects on the kidneys, bones, and the cardiovascular system.
The researchers noted that sources of exposure are not limited to food only but also include air, water, and soil, as well as cosmetics and tobacco, although the diet remains the main source.
Cadmium is one of the natural elements found in the environment, but it becomes a health hazard when accumulated in the body in large amounts, especially with daily consumption of foods containing it, which necessitates taking measures to reduce exposure and minimize long-term health risks.
