Popular Snack Foods May Increase Exposure to Toxins Linked to Cancer and Other Health Issues, Study Finds
Popular Snack Foods May Increase Exposure to Toxins Linked to Cancer and Other Health Issues, Study Finds
Adam EnglandThu, July 23, 2026 at 1:58 PM UTC
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A woman eating corn chips (stock photo)Credit: Javier Sanchez Mingorance/Getty -
Some popular snacks, including popcorn and corn chips, could put people at risk of mycotoxin exposure, increasing the risk of cancer, among other health problems
A new study found mycotoxins in every urine sample provided by 33 pregnant women in New Jersey, with higher exposure linked to the amount of corn and grain products consumed
One mycotoxin — zearalenone, which mimics estrogen — has previously been linked to both greater weight gain during pregnancy and lower infant birth weight
Eating some popular snack foods, like corn chips and popcorn, may put people at risk of being exposed to toxins with links to cancer and other health problems, according to a new study.
Researchers led by scientists at Rutgers University followed 33 pregnant women from New Jersey and found mycotoxins — toxic chemicals produced by some mold and fungi — in every urine sample they collected, according to a press release.
Per the World Health Organization, mycotoxins can grow on foods including cereals, nuts, dried fruits, apples and coffee beans and cause health effects from acute poisoning to cancer and immune deficiency.
People eating popcorn in a movie theater (stock photo)Credit: Getty Images
The study, published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, reported strong links between exposure levels and the amount of corn and grain products — like popcorn, corn chips and corn tortillas — the women consumed.
Researchers focused on zearalenone, a mycotoxin that’s produced by Fusarium fungi and can contaminate crops like corn, wheat and oats.
It can spread through meat and dairy from animals that eat contaminated feed and is able to survive high temperatures, per the release.
Zearalenone is a type of mycotoxin that’s classified as a mycoestrogen because it can mimic estrogen, a hormone that is important for fetal development during pregnancy, per the release.
Fusarium fungiCredit: Science Photo Library RF/Getty
Past studies have suggested links between mycoestrogen exposure and both greater weight gain during pregnancy and lower infant birthweight.
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According to researchers, this pilot study is one of the first in the U.S. to compare the food intake of pregnant women with mycoestrogen biomarkers.
“Mycoestrogens are among the most common food contaminants worldwide, yet evidence on their dietary sources in the United States has been limited,” said Zorimar Rivera-Núñez, an assistant professor at Rutgers School of Public Health and the study’s lead author, in the release.
Rivera-Núñez added, “They have potent estrogenic properties, but we know very little about how these exposures may affect pregnant women and their developing babies.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration added zearalenone to its Mycotoxin Compliance Program in 2024 but hasn’t set any maximum limits in food, per the release.
The researchers are calling for greater awareness of mycotoxins like zearalenone, both in terms of their impact during pregnancy and more generally.
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“Pregnancy represents a unique opportunity for prevention,” said Rivera-Núñez. “By understanding how everyday dietary choices contribute to environmental chemical exposures, we can provide families with information that supports both maternal and child health.”
In the meantime, the W.H.O. recommends inspecting whole grains, dried figs and nuts for evidence of mold, discarding any that look moldy, discolored or shriveled, buying them as fresh as possible and ensuring they’re stored in cool, dry areas free of insects.
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Source: “AOL Breaking”
