Sofia Martinez
Plastic is everywhere, and it's in our food too. From rice to beer, bottled water to salt, and even breast milk, microplastics have been found in a wide variety of foods and drinks. These tiny plastic particles, smaller than 5mm, are created when larger plastics break down in the environment. They are pervasive and can be inhaled, ingested, or absorbed through the skin. While the health effects of consuming microplastics are not yet fully understood, there are concerns about their potential impact on human health, particularly as they can act as a vessel for harmful chemicals. With plastic so ubiquitous, it's impossible to completely avoid exposure, but there are steps people can take to reduce their consumption of microplastics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How plastics enter our food | Plasticizers enter our food through the plastic in the tubing, conveyor belts, and gloves used during food processing, and can even enter directly into meat and produce via contaminated water and soil. |
| Plasticizer chemicals | Phthalates, Bisphenols, and BPA |
| Plasticizer health concerns | Interference with the production and regulation of estrogen and other hormones, heart attacks, breast cancer, poor foetal development |
| Plasticizer health concerns | No level of plasticizer consumption has been confirmed as safe by scientists, but lower levels are better. |
| Plasticizer regulatory concerns | There are few regulations restricting the use of these chemicals in food production, or requiring that manufacturers test foods for them. |
| Plasticizer removal | Plasticizers can be partially removed from rice by washing it, and they can be avoided by drinking tap water from glass or stainless steel containers. |
| Plastic ubiquity | Plastic has infiltrated almost every corner of the Earth, including the Arctic snow and remote deserts. |
| Plastic breakdown | Plastics break down into microplastics and nanoplastics, which are smaller than 5mm and 1 micron, respectively. |
| Plastic health impact | Microplastics have been found to damage human cells, decrease reproductive health, and disrupt the endocrine system. They can also act as a vessel for harmful substances to enter the body as they can absorb chemicals linked to cancers and weakened immune systems. |
| Plastic health impact | The impact of ingesting plastics on human health is not yet fully understood, but there is research that suggests it could be harmful. |
| Plastic health impact | Microplastics have been found in human lung, maternal and fetal placental tissues, human breast milk and human blood. |
| Plastic health impact | Microplastics have been found to cause cell death, with irregularly-shaped microplastics being the most likely to do so. |
| Plastic environmental impact | The practice of using sewage sludge as fertiliser is exacerbating the plastics crisis in our oceans. |
| Plastic environmental impact | The Philippines is the largest ocean polluter in the world, contributing a third of the 80% of global ocean plastic that comes from Asian rivers. |
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What You'll Learn
Plasticizers, phthalates and bisphenols in food
Plasticizers, phthalates, and bisphenols are chemicals that can be found in our food. Plasticizers are used to make plastic more flexible and durable, and phthalates are the most common type of plasticizer. Bisphenols, such as BPA, are other chemicals found in plastic. These chemicals can enter our food in various ways, including through food packaging, processing equipment, and environmental contamination.
A study by Consumer Reports found phthalates in nearly every food tested, including fast food, supermarket goods, and organic products. High levels of phthalates were detected in certain foods, such as Del Monte sliced peaches, Chicken of the Sea pink salmon, and Yoplait yogurt. Interestingly, there was no significant difference in phthalate levels based on packaging or food type. Bisphenols were found in 79% of the tested samples, although the levels were lower than in previous tests conducted 15 years ago.
The presence of these chemicals in our food is concerning due to their potential health risks. Growing research indicates that phthalates and bisphenols are endocrine disruptors, which can interfere with hormone production and regulation, leading to an increased risk of health problems such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, birth defects, and infertility. Additionally, the constant exposure to these chemicals can lead to their accumulation in our bodies, making it challenging to determine the specific health outcomes associated with their consumption.
To reduce exposure to plasticizers, phthalates, and bisphenols in food, individuals can take certain measures. These include avoiding food stored in plastic containers, opting for glass, enamel, or foil packaging, and supporting initiatives that advocate for reduced plastic production and pollution. While it is challenging to completely avoid these chemicals due to their ubiquity, being mindful of their presence and taking proactive steps can help minimize potential health risks associated with their consumption.
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Plastic in meat and produce
Plastic is found in almost everything we eat. A 2024 CNN article reported that microplastics have been found in human lung, maternal and fetal placental tissues, human breast milk, and human blood.
A 2022 Guardian article reported that scientists at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VUA) in the Netherlands found microplastics in three-quarters of meat and milk products tested, and in every blood sample. Microplastics were also found in every sample of animal pellet feed tested, indicating a possible route of contamination.
A 2024 study by Food Safety found no statistical difference between highly-processed and fresh-caught products, suggesting that food processing is not the only source of microplastics contamination. However, another study by the same organization found that highly processed protein products like fish sticks, chicken nuggets, tofu, and plant-based burgers contained significantly more microplastics per gram than minimally processed products.
Microplastics have also been found on the surface of meat products sealed in their packaging, indicating that the contamination occurs before the meat is packaged.
The human body is good at eliminating bisphenols and phthalates, but constant exposure means they enter our systems almost as quickly as they are eliminated. The harmful effects of these chemicals may be cumulative, and steady exposure to even small amounts may increase health risks.
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Microplastics in seafood
Plastic waste has become a significant environmental problem, with an estimated 381 million metric tons produced annually, and is expected to double in the next decade. As plastic breaks down, it becomes microplastics—particles smaller than 5mm—which are pervasive in the environment, including in the ocean, air, and soil.
Seafood is a significant source of microplastics in the human diet. A recent study found microplastics in 99% of seafood samples, with the highest levels found in shrimp. Microplastics have also been detected in the gills and mouths of fish, which then translocate to the meat that humans eat. Shellfish and other animals consumed whole pose a particular concern for human exposure.
The health effects of microplastics in seafood are still being studied, but they can release chemical substances and act as carriers of microorganisms, including toxic compounds like PFAS, bisphenol, and phthalates, which have been linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, hormone disruption, and developmental toxicity. Microplastics can also cause oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, and translocate to other tissues in the body.
To reduce exposure to microplastics in seafood, some sources suggest rinsing seafood or choosing seafood caught from a boat rather than purchased from a store, as processed seafood may have higher levels of microplastics. However, it's important to note that microplastics are widespread in the environment and have been found in various other foods and drinking water, so changing eating patterns may not significantly reduce exposure.
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Plastic in drinking water
Plastic is present in our food and drinking water in various forms, from the chemicals used in food processing to microplastics in bottled water. The issue of plastic in our food and water is a growing concern due to its potential impact on human health and the environment.
Sources of Plastic in Drinking Water
One significant source of plastic in drinking water is the use of plastic packaging for water bottles. The friction between car tires and the road also creates plastic dust, which is then blown into waterways and can end up in drinking water sources. Industrial discharge of poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into waters contaminates the sludge used to fertilize crops, which can lead to plastic contamination in water sources.
Health Risks of Drinking Water Contamination
The health risks associated with ingesting microplastics are still being studied, but limited data from animal studies suggest that microplastics may accumulate in the body and cause particle toxicity by inducing an immune response. The presence of microplastics in drinking water can also act as a vessel for harmful chemicals to enter the body, such as additives and adsorbed toxins. In developing countries, the risk of exposure to plastic-contaminated drinking water is higher due to weaker environmental management and the accumulation of plastic materials in water systems.
Reducing Plastic Exposure from Drinking Water
To reduce exposure to plastic-contaminated drinking water, experts recommend drinking tap water instead of bottled water and using glass or stainless steel containers for storage. Biologically active slow sand filters have also proven effective in removing microplastics from drinking water in some water treatment plants.
The issue of plastic in drinking water highlights the need for improved waste management practices, stricter regulations, and a global effort to reduce plastic production and pollution.
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Plastic in processed foods
Plastic is found in almost everything we eat. Plasticizers, the chemicals used to make plastic more flexible and durable, can enter our food at any stage of its journey, from processing to packaging to transportation.
Phthalates, the most common type of plasticizer, have been found in meat, produce, and even fast food. They can enter our food through the plastic tubing, conveyor belts, and gloves used during food processing, as well as through contaminated water and soil. Bisphenols, another type of chemical found in plastic, are also present in our food. These chemicals have been linked to a range of health concerns, including interference with hormone production and regulation, and increased risk of health problems such as diabetes and obesity.
Microplastics, a type of plastic smaller than 5mm, are particularly pervasive. They are formed through the breakdown of larger plastics and can be found in the ocean, air, and soil. Microplastics have been detected in rice, breaded shrimp, bottled water, tea bags, salt, and seafood. Nanoplastics, an even smaller type of microplastic, have been found in human lung, maternal and fetal placental tissues, human breast milk, and human blood.
While it is difficult to completely avoid plastics in processed foods, there are some steps you can take to reduce your exposure. Experts recommend avoiding storing food or liquid in plastic containers, minimizing exposure of plastic to high heat, and choosing food packaged in glass, enamel, or foil instead of plastic.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, microplastics are found in almost everything we eat.
Plastics can enter our food through the water and soil used to grow vegetables and other crops. They can also enter our food through the plastic packaging, tubing, conveyor belts, and gloves used during food processing.
Yes, a study found that rice contains three to four milligrams of plastic per 100 grams (1/2 cup) of rice, and this number jumps to 13 milligrams per serving for instant rice. Bottled water is also highly contaminated, with one liter containing an average of 240,000 plastic particles from seven types of plastics.
The health risks of consuming plastics are not yet fully understood, but there is research that suggests it could be harmful. Studies have shown that chemicals added during the production of plastics can disrupt the endocrine system and the hormones that regulate growth and development. Chemicals found in plastic have also been linked to cancer, heart disease, and poor foetal development.
There are several ways to reduce your exposure to plastics in food:
- Drink tap water from glass or stainless steel containers instead of bottled water.
- Avoid eating anything that has been stored in a plastic container and opt for food stored in glass, enamel, or foil packaging.
- Wash rice to reduce plastic contamination by up to 40%.
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