Are you a fan of mac and cheese? Unfortunately, you may have to forego your temptations. A recently conducted research at the University of Adelaide and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute finds that instant mac and cheese contains traces of phthalates, a chemical commonly used in plastics, adhesive, soaps etc.

Phthalate has been known to trigger chronic ailments like type-2 diabetes, heart diseases and high blood pressure. The chemical is often ingested by way of consuming products packed in plastic – processed cheese sound familiar?

There's also evidence that the chemical, called the gender bender chemical, blocks the production of testosterone, disrupting the hormonal balance in effect and causing fertility problems in both men and women.

According to a study by the Coalition for Safer Food Processing & Packaging, of 30 cheese products, 29 are found to be having traces of phthalates, with processed cheese products recording the highest amount and natural cheese the lowest.