Partly, yes. Endocrine disruptors are substances capable of interfering with hormones and altering essential bodily functions, and some of their names are becoming familiar to us: Bisphenol A, phthalates, parabens, pesticides, or PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” due to their extreme persistence. Certain “flame retardant” substances added to plastics and timber to slow the spread of fire in the event of a blaze are also included.
We don’t see them, but they’re there: they provide flexibility to plastics, antibacterial functions or technological properties in everyday products, but also risks that need to be controlled. What is essential is the scientific knowledge that allows us to identify them.
We are exposed to endocrine disruptors through food, especially ultra-processed, precooked and tinned foods, but also through the air, water and skin: hygiene and cleaning products, cosmetics, tampons, toothpaste, creams and packaging. Although new materials have enabled major advances, science also confirms their health costs: reproductive problems (such as poor sperm quality and infertility), hormone-related cancers, immunological, neurological and metabolic disorders, and possibly obesity, among other effects.
The periods of development, from pregnancy through to puberty, are the most vulnerable. During these stages, hormonal signals must function with precision, as small alterations can leave lasting effects. These compounds can modify metabolic programming, the biological “roadmap” that accompanies each person throughout their life.
As a preventive measure, let us further strengthen our Mediterranean diet and the consumption of local and European foods
The great challenge in controlling exposure to endocrine disruptors lies in their complexity: identifying which compounds are the most dangerous among the hundreds of new substances that appear each year, securing specific studies, and finding safe alternatives that do not compromise the supply chain, the economy or people’s wellbeing.
Europe is making progress in this task, thanks to the REACH regulation for identifying and classifying the most concerning substances. At present, there are around 150 of them, including roughly 10 groups of endocrine disruptors of particular concern. After classification comes the task of scientifically assessing the risks in different areas (food, cosmetics, the environment, etc.). For example, in the field of food, EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) is responsible for producing reports and opinions that enable the European Commission to manage risk and propose regulations to limit it. Finally, the EU governing institutions (Parliament and Council) approve the measures.
A recent example is Bisphenol A. After years of partial restrictions (such as its ban in baby bottles), since January 2025 the European Regulation prohibiting its use in materials that come into contact with food has been in force. Bisphenol A had been used in epoxy resins for coating tins, reusable bottles and durable utensils. The ban was based on EFSA’s scientific assessment (2023), which concluded that current exposure levels posed a risk not only for young children but for people of all ages, due to its effects on the reproductive and endocrine systems. The new regulation also extends to adhesives, inks, silicones, varnishes and other coatings.
This is just one example of the many that will follow. In the meantime, we can adopt practical measures to reduce the risk:
• Prioritise fresh foods and limit ultra-processed and tinned products.
• Wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly.
• Use glass or stainless-steel containers to store or heat food.
• Choose cosmetics and cleaning products without fragrances or parabens.
• Air your home daily, vacuum dust instead of sweeping, and choose non-stick-free cookware.
Regulation is progressing —with Europe at the forefront, yes— but slowly, and day-to-day protection depends largely on informed, simple decisions that make a great difference to our future health.
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