An alarming new study is out that claims macaroni and cheese, a staple of American southern cuisine, may have something in it that could be problematic. A new analysis published this week found high concentrations of phthalates in the cheese powder in some prepackaged mac and cheese products.

The study, which evaluated 30 different cheese products including natural cheese prodts, found that the cheese powder in boxed macaroni and cheese contained phthalates, which is a chemical, in 29 of 30 products tested. Natural cheeses tended to have the lowest levels of this chemical, and processed cheese had the highest levels.

The Coalition for Safer Food Processing & Packaging did the anaylsis. They are a coalition of environmental health advocacy groups, and their research was not printed in a peer-reviewed journal.

Phthalates are a family of chemicals found in soaps, rubbers, fragrances, and many other everyday items. They often make their way into foods via the manufacturing process.

“Serving up one of America’s favorite comfort foods shouldn’t mean exposing your children and family to harmful chemicals,” said Mike Belliveau, executive director of the Environmental Health Strategy Center, a coalition member. “Our test results underscore the need for industry to comprehensively test their products for phthalates and determine the steps needed to eliminate them.”