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Endocrine disrupting chemicals: | 
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An overview of the major endocrine disrupting chemicals of relevance to the food industry. Endocrine disrupters are chemicals that can interfere with the hormonal (endocrine) systems of humans and other animals and, consequently, with the processes controlled by these hormones. Perhaps the most well known are those reported to affect fertility or gender in people or animals. Endocrine disrupters include both natural and man-made chemicals and potentially come from a wide range of sources. Those of most interest to the food industry include those found in phytoestrogen-containing foods, such as brassicas and soya products, and those associated with some packaging materials. Although there is a vast amount of information available on the subject of endocrine disrupters, some of the data are conflicting and it can be difficult to form a clear picture of what is clearly established and relevant and what is simply speculation or tentative conclusions. This review therefore pulls together some of the main information on this topic likely to be of interest to the food industry. It starts with an overview of the more common endocrine disrupters and then discusses in more detail those chemicals of most concern to the food industry. It does not review in detail the nature or physiological basis of health effects, as these are covered elsewhere, though it does provide pointers to this information. Contents:
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