Mineral filters cut carcinogens in smoked foods

2018-07-06T16:49:00

A range of foods hanging in a smokehouse

Source: kaczor58 / Shutterstock.com

Cutting edge science research with a consumer application

Food is smoked in order to preserve it or give it a distinctive taste. However, this process produces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been linked with cancer in animal studies. Zeolites, which have been used to filter pollutants from car exhaust fumes for years, can also be used to extract PAHs from smoke. In addition, this produces a better ‘smoked’ flavour, according to some taste experts.

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