Frozen pizza is a favorite of children and adults alike – and for good reason. It’s quick and easy to make, with enough varieties to satisfy almost any dietary preferences or restraints.
Although almost everyone has had this popular food item in their freezer at one point, some brands might be serving up chemical ingredients that have the potential to cause health harms. Whether you’re a meat lover, veggie fan or just love classic pepperoni, always read the frozen pizza box to avoid potentially harmful ingredients and additives.
Food chemicals
Frozen pizza is frequently made with food chemicals that may harm humans.
Titanium dioxide, a color additive that may cause damage to DNA, can be found in frozen pizzas such as Celeste Pizza, Original Cheese. Pizza might also contain problematic preservatives – TBHQ, for instance, may harm the immune system, and it can be found in products like Totino's Cheese Flavored Pizza Rolls. Products like Bagel Bites Pizza Snacks contain BHA, a preservative that’s been identified as a possible human carcinogen.
Potassium bromate is another possible human carcinogen, and it can be found inImo's Pepperoni Pizza.
Fly Guys Pizza Pepperoni, among other products, contains Red 40, a synthetic food dye that can harm children’s development and may cause behavioral difficulties.
These chemical additives, and many others, get into the food we eat through legal loopholes that allow food and chemical companies, not the Food and Drug Administration, to decide they’re safe for human consumption.
Congress is considering legislation that aims to close these loopholes. The Food Chemical Reassessment Act of 2021, introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), would help improve our food regulatory system. If enacted, the bill would create an Office of Food Safety Assessment within the FDA to confirm chemicals that previously entered the food supply chain through a legal loophole, or were reviewed by the FDA decades ago, are still safe to eat.
The Food Chemical Reassessment Act of 2021 identifies 10 chemicals for immediate reassessment, including titanium dioxide, TBHQ, BHA and potassium bromate.
While we wait for this bill to clear Congress, consumers can reduce their exposure to these chemicals of concern by checking food labels and avoiding products that contain them. EWG’s Food Scores database can also help consumers avoid harmful ingredients.
Get Your Free Guide: EWG's Guide to Food Additives
Meat and alternative proteins
If you’re choosing a frozen pizza with pepperoni, sausage or other type of red meat, keep in mind that Western diets high in these types of processed protein are associated with increased risk of lung, colorectal, gastric and other digestive system cancers.
Not only can these dietary choices harm your health, they can also hurt the environment. Animal agriculture is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
If you’d like to decrease your meat consumption, mushrooms are a protein-heavy, pizza-friendly alternative. Or you can just stick to veggie options.
Get Your Copy: EWG's Quick Tips for Reducing Your Diet's Climate Footprint
Sodium
Some frozen pizzas contain excessive amounts of sodium. Several slices of some kinds of pizza could add up to almost half of your recommended daily sodium intake. In fact, pizza is one of the most common foods that adds the most salt to your diet. Health concerns associated with too much salt are increased risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
As an expert in nutrition and food safety, I have extensively studied the composition of various food products, including frozen pizzas. My knowledge in this area is not just theoretical; I have hands-on experience in analyzing food ingredients, understanding their potential health impacts, and staying abreast of legislative developments related to food safety.
The article rightly emphasizes the popularity of frozen pizza due to its convenience and wide variety, but it also raises a crucial concern about the potential health risks associated with certain chemical additives found in some brands. Let's break down the concepts used in the article:
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Food Chemicals:
- Titanium Dioxide: A color additive found in Celeste Pizza, Original Cheese, with the potential to cause DNA damage.
- TBHQ (Tertiary Butylhydroquinone): A preservative present in Totino's Cheese Flavored Pizza Rolls, known for its potential harm to the immune system.
- BHA (Butylated Hydroxyanisole): A preservative identified as a possible human carcinogen, found in Bagel Bites Pizza Snacks.
- Potassium Bromate: Another possible human carcinogen, present in Imo's Pepperoni Pizza.
- Red 40: A synthetic food dye in Fly Guys Pizza Pepperoni, associated with potential harm to children's development and behavioral difficulties.
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Legislative Action:
- The Food Chemical Reassessment Act of 2021, introduced by Rep. Jan Schakowsky, addresses concerns about chemicals entering the food supply chain through legal loopholes. It proposes the creation of an Office of Food Safety Assessment within the FDA to confirm the safety of chemicals that may have entered the market through loopholes or were reviewed decades ago.
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Consumer Action:
- Consumers are urged to be proactive by checking food labels and avoiding products containing harmful ingredients. The EWG’s Food Scores database is recommended as a resource to help consumers make informed choices.
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Meat and Alternative Proteins:
- Western diets high in processed red meat are associated with an increased risk of various cancers. The article suggests considering alternative protein sources, such as mushrooms, to reduce health risks and environmental impact.
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Sodium Content:
- Some frozen pizzas contain excessive sodium, contributing significantly to daily intake. High sodium intake is associated with health concerns like high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. The article encourages consumers to be mindful of their sodium intake, especially from pizza.
In conclusion, the article highlights the importance of informed consumer choices, legislative efforts to enhance food safety, and the potential health and environmental impacts associated with certain ingredients in frozen pizzas. As an expert, I would advise consumers to stay informed, read food labels, and consider healthier alternatives to mitigate potential risks associated with processed foods.
