The FDA (American Food and Drug Administration) calls for cheeses to be labeled because of the risk of cancer

By Charlotte Pointing, October 8, 2019.

Doctors are asking the FDA to put warning labels on cheese products. Studies have linked the consumption of milk and dairy products to a higher risk of breast cancer. The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) is asking the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to put breast cancer warning labels on cheeses.

PCRM (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine) says it "combines the strength and expertise of more than 12,000 physicians with the targeted actions of more than 175,000 members." The organization advocates that cheese products have warning labels, similar to those on cigarette packs. The FDA sent a petition on that topic, which was signed by its president, MD. Neal Barnard. PCRM gives an example of a warning in the petition: “Dairy cheese contains reproductive hormones that may increase the risk of mortality from breast cancer.” Breast cancer[1] is one of the most common causes of death in women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. PCRM filed its petition on Oct. 3, the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Philadelphia cream cheese and Macaroni and cheese – they have done during previous breast cancer awareness months – they should add warning labels,” Barnard stated[1]. "We want women to be aware that dairy cheese could put them at risk of dying from breast cancer."

Dairy products and breast cancer

Dairy products contain estrogen from cows. The female hormone is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. When milk becomes cheese, estrogens are more concentrated. "Although present only in trace amounts, they appear to be biologically active in humans, increasing mortality from breast cancer[2]," says the PCRM. On the other hand, fiber-rich plant foods are good for breast health, the organization notes, because they can eliminate excess estrogen. That's according to one study -- known as the Epidemiologic Study of Life After Cancer -- which found that women previously diagnosed with breast cancer who consumed one or more servings of high-fat dairy products per day had a 49 percent higher mortality rate. of breast cancer, compared to those who consumed less than half that portion each day.

 

World-renowned breast surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk spoke about the connection between breast cancer and animal products. She told the website LIVEKINDLY last year: "The body's cellular response to consuming animal protein and animal fat is all that feeds and fuels disease while health suffocates toward death." She added: "Estrogen levels rise, growth hormones skyrocket, inflammation flourishes, while free radicals go around damaging cells and mutating DNA." dr. Funk is collaborating with PCRM – as well as numerous celebrities – on a new vegan campaign called Let's beat breast cancer. It encourages people to make a commitment to eat more plant-based foods, exercise regularly, limit alcohol use and maintain a healthy body weight to reduce their risk of breast cancer.

[1]https://www.livekindly.co/stella-mccartney-breast-cancer-awareness-campaign-idris-elba/

[2] https://www.pcrm.org/news/news-releases/doctors-group-petitions-fda-require-breast-cancer-warning-label-cheese?fbclid=IwAR3VN2IfqY03JwAB-ws9ZJANsyGS9sMEvkxYn6XKkLAYM0chKGKQ6oVeFNw

[3] https://www.livekindly.co/plant-based-diet-lower-breast-cancer-risk/