Beware the chemicals in your mac & cheese

New York

POTENTIALLY harmful chemicals that were banned from children's teething rings and rubber duck toys a decade ago may still be present in high concentrations in your child's favourite meal: macaroni and cheese mixes made with powdered cheese.

The chemicals, called phthalates, can disrupt male hormones such as testosterone and have been linked to genital birth defects in infant boys and learning and behaviour problems in older children. The chemicals migrate into food from packaging and equipment used in manufacturing and may pose special risks to pregnant women and young children.