French people have been told to cut down on croissants and baguettes to reduce their risk of developing cancer.
A report by France’s food safety agency (Anses) recommends limiting the consumption of cereals, bread and pasta because fertilisers commonly used in industrial farming contained high levels of cadmium.
It warned that almost half of French people were exposed to concerning levels of the carcinogenic metal. Cadmium has been linked to an increased risk of pancreatic, bladder, prostate and breast cancer, along with osteoporosis, and cardiovascular and kidney damage, the agency said.
Géraldine Carne, Anses’s expertise coordinator, said: “If current exposure levels are maintained and no action is put in place, long-term adverse effects are likely to be more and more on the population.”
“Limit the consumption of sweet and salty wheat products, such as breakfast cereals, cakes, biscuits,” the report said.
Carcinogen found in breads, pastries and cakes
The public has been urged to introduce more legumes such as lentils and chickpeas into their diets, and eat a diverse range of foods sourced from different regions to avoid repeated exposure.
Researchers studied different possible sources of cadmium exposure, including food, water, air, dust, soil, cosmetics and smoking. Cadmium was classified as a carcinogen in France in 2012.
Diet was found to be the most common, accounting for up to 98 per cent of exposure in the non-smoking population. Tobacco was another source of excess cadmium levels.
The biggest dietary sources of the heavy metal were French staples – breads, pastries and cakes – along with breakfast cereals, pasta, rice and potatoes.
Ms Carne told Franceinfo: “The French levels are up to three or four times higher than those of other countries such as Belgium, England or Italy.”
Calling the situation “worrying”, Anses called on the French government to drastically lower the maximum cadmium content of phosphate fertilisers, which accumulate in agriculture soil.
The permitted content in France is 90mg/kg of phosphate mineral fertiliser, while most European countries have a limit of 60mg/kg. The agency also noted that some fertilisers authorised in organic farming contained cadmium.