Minimizing PCB and Total Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Exposure Via Changes in School Lunches
The school lunch makes up a significant part of what children eat. School lunch programs are
required to provide certain information to the New York State Department of Education. The
percentage of fat in school lunch meals is included in this information. Percentages of fat in
school lunches served in the Canton and Colton-Pierrepont School Districts were reported as
27.69 percent and 29.84 percent respectively. (The reported information did not include a
breakdown for vegetable fats and animal fats. Only percentage of total fat was reported. The
total fat percentages provided were % Kcals. In the case of fats, % Kcals is higher than percent
by mass.)
In 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) published, "Persistent Organic
Pollutants: Impact on Child Health". This report was created to provide health professionals
with an understanding of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) exposure and disease
outcome. POPs are fat soluble. They are present in all animal fats. Scientific evidence indicates
that current levels of POPs in the animal fat portion of the food supply are causing serious harm
to health. POPs exposure is associated with diseases and disorders, including: cancers, type 2
diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, reproductive problems, autism, ADHD and
cognitive impairments. WHO recommends action to minimize the exposure that children receive
to POPs.
Major retailer meatballs are approximately 30 percent fat by mass. Prepared meals available in
the supermarket range from less than 10 percent fat to over 20 percent fat. No prepared meals
were found to have a percentage of fat as high as 30 percent by mass. School lunch meals are
nearly 30 percent fat with regards to caloric content because fat is low in cost. School districts
feed children very low cost food. At a time when animal fats are contaminated with PCBs and
other POPs including: dioxins, brominated flame retardants and fat soluble pesticides such as
DDT, Mirex and Toxaphene, it is unsound to feed children meals with a 30 percent fat
content. Meatballs, chicken patties, sausage and ravioli are oftentimes on the school lunch menu.
It is likely that animal fats constitute a major fraction of total fat in school lunches.
Students in the Massena Central School District are part of a population that has received
significant exposures to PCBs as a result of the use and disposal of PCBs at industrial facilities
located in the township of Massena. PCBs are some of the most extensively studied of the POPs.
Populations with excess exposure to POPs are in particular need of action to minimize POPs
exposure. This is because increased exposure imposes increased risk of developing disease.
School lunches should be much lower than 30 percent fat in terms of caloric content. The federal
government guidelines for fat content of school lunches are not sufficiently restrictive to protect
against POPs exposure. This lack of stringency is due to corporate influence upon the federal
government agencies responsible for setting food consumption guidelines.
For Further Information: Donald L. Hassig, Director, Cancer Action NY; 315.262.2456;
donaldhassig@gmail.com