4 chapters across the catalog
A listener's note clarifies the role of phthalates as plasticizers used to make polymers softer, rather than making them "shiny" as previously suggested. The discussion centers on the safety of phthalates in Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, with the hosts debating whether the trace amounts found in cheese powder pose a significant health risk to consumers.
Phthalates in Macaroni and Cheese, Industrial Plasticizers
A study by the Environmental Health Strategy Center, reported by the New York Times, found high levels of phthalates in 29 out of 30 tested cheese products, with the highest concentrations in powdered macaroni and cheese. Phthalates are industrial plasticizers used in products like floor tiles and conveyor belts, and they are known endocrine disruptors. Kraft has defended its products, stating the levels are well below established safety thresholds.
The hosts discuss a PETA-commissioned study claiming that pregnant women who consume chicken, specifically wings, may have sons with smaller genitalia. This "War on Chicken" is framed as the latest scientific evidence intended to discourage meat consumption. The hosts mock the study's findings and its potential impact on different demographics.
The German Green Party is highlighting the presence of carcinogenic phthalates in sex toys as a consumer protection issue. According to Der Spiegel, these plasticizers are linked to hormone imbalances, diabetes, and infertility. The hosts mock the story as a desperate PR stunt by the Green Party to gain traction by linking sexual health to their environmental agenda.
