USDA: These Frozen Taquitos, Chimichangas May Have Plastic in Them

By Mary Anne R. Aug 05 2020, 02:59 AM EDT

Some say frozen food can be more beneficial to consumers than preparing your actual meal. It cuts the cost and time of food preparation.

In some cases, many claim that frozen food have more vitamins and minerals than fresh food as fresh food are perishable and tend to lose their vitamins and minerals over time.

Opting for frozen food can be beneficial not only in your time management but also in reducing food waste. However, not all frozen food are created equal. Some contain more saturated fat and added sugar and salt. Some contain plastics.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a public health alert on frozen food containing hard plastics, including a frozen food brand of taquitos and chimichangas that can usually be found in grocery stores and convenience stores across the country.

These frozen taquitos and chimichangas were recalled by producer, Sun Valley Foods, due to plastic contamination concerns. The Sun Valley Foods of El Paso in Texas has sold its products under the following brand names Jose Ole, Casa Mamita, and Great Value that contain its diced green chilies suspected to be contaminated with plastics.

All of the products recalled were chicken and beef ready-to-eat chimichangas and taquitos in corn and flour tortillas. The USDA warned that plastic might cause a choking hazard or damaged teeth or gums.

The agency advised consumers to avoid these food products.The Ajinomoto Foods North America Inc. produced the frozen taquitos and chimichangas in Lampasas, Texas, and San Diego, California.

The USDA said consumers could identify the recalled foods by checking the list on its website. There have yet no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of the said recalled frozen products.

What Happens If You Accidentally Eat Plastic?

The effects of plastic on the environment can always be read on social media and news sites. It is because plastic is a non-biodegradable waste, which continues to pollute oceans.

There were reports of sea creatures suffering because of plastic found in their stomachs. But what happens if humans accidentally ingest plastic? The good news is eating a piece of plastic will not cause any adverse effects on your body yet.

Reports said the plastic would leave your system after a day since it is small. Your body will try to get rid of anything that it can not dissolve or use effectively. However, the constant consumption of plastic of food packed in plastic can have long-term side effects in your body.

There are chemicals in plastic that can easily be transferred to food by microwaving it in plastic containers and drinking plastic bottled water, among others.

Plastic also uses a chemical called phthalates, which makes plastic soft and bendable. It is not chemically bound to plastic, making it easier to be transferred.

Some of the health problems you could have by ingesting phthalates are premature births, cancer, asthma, miscarriage, male infertility, and abnormal sexual development. You might experience these adverse health effects later on.