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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is recommending that families steer clear of processed meats, choose fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables over processed food, and seek out alternatives to plastic.

In a recent policy statement and technical report, the AAP calls for stricter regulation of the more than 10,000 additives (colourings, flavourings and chemicals) approved for use in processed foods and food packaging.

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The current evaluation process, the organization writes, is out of step with the body of evidence documenting the impact of chemicals including bisphenols (used to line cans), nitrates and nitrites (used as a colouring and to prolong shelf life) and phthalates (used in plastic containers as a softening agent) on human health.

Children are particularly susceptible to adverse health effects, Dr. Leonardo Trasande, lead author of the statement and report, told CNN: “Pound for pound, children eat more food and therefore have a higher level of exposure compared to us adults.