Ethan Clarke
Plastic is everywhere, and it's no surprise that it's in our food too. From the plastic gloves used in food processing to the packaging our food comes in, plastic is an integral part of the modern food industry. While plastic additives and chemicals like plasticizers, bisphenols, and phthalates have been linked to various health concerns, there are few regulations restricting their use in food production. Detecting and measuring plastic content in food typically requires skilled personnel and expensive equipment. However, recent innovations, such as the development of a low-cost, portable tool by researchers at the University of British Columbia, have made it easier to quantify micro- and nanoplastics in our food and beverages. This tool, paired with an app, uses fluorescent labeling to detect plastic particles, providing results in minutes and helping to raise awareness about the presence of plastic in our food.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic measurement tools | Portable, low-cost device; wireless digital microscope; smartphone app; fluorescent labelling; thickness gauge; MATLAB software with machine-learning algorithms |
| Plastic types | Microplastics, nanoplastics, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate |
| Plastic sources | Disposable cups, water bottles, lunchboxes, utensils, tubing, conveyor belts, gloves, food packaging |
| Plastic chemicals | Plasticizers, phthalates, bisphenols (BPA), residual monomers, decomposition products |
| Health concerns | Endocrine disruption, hormone imbalance, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer, birth defects, infertility |
| Plastic alternatives | Glass, stainless steel, biodegradable packaging materials |
| Plastic testing methods | Migration testing, simulants (A, B, C, D1, D2), overall migration, specific migration, food contact time, temperature control |
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What You'll Learn
Measuring plastic in food with a portable tool
Plastic in food is a growing concern, with plasticizers, such as phthalates and bisphenols, being linked to various health issues. These chemicals can enter our food in many ways, from packaging to the processing stage, and even from the water and soil used to produce our food.
To address this issue, researchers from the University of British Columbia have developed a low-cost, portable tool that can accurately measure plastic particles in food and beverages. This tool was designed by Tianxi Yang, an assistant professor in the faculty of land and food systems, and his team. The device is paired with a smartphone app and can detect plastic particles ranging from 50 nanometres to 10 microns in size. The plastic particles are too small to be seen by the naked eye, but the tool makes them glow under a green LED light, allowing for easy visualization and measurement. The results are then delivered in minutes via the app, which matches the image's pixel area with the number of plastics detected.
The tool is currently calibrated to measure polystyrene, but with some tweaks to the machine-learning algorithm, it could also measure other types of plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The development of this tool is a significant step towards protecting our health and ecosystems, as it provides a quick, accessible, and reliable method for detecting plastic in our food and beverages.
How to Use the Tool
To use the portable tool, simply take a tiny liquid sample—less than a drop of water—from the food or beverage you want to test. Place the sample under the microscope in the small, 3D-printed box, and visualise the plastic particles glowing under the green LED light. The wireless digital microscope captures a fluorescent image, which is then sent to the app for analysis. The app will then match the image's pixel area with the number of plastics detected, providing you with an easy-to-understand result in just a few minutes.
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Migration testing for plastic in fatty foods
Migration testing is a crucial step in product development and quality control of plastic food contact materials. It involves the transfer of chemicals from one material to another, specifically from a food contact material to food. The purpose of migration testing is to ensure that the amount of migration from the plastic test specimen is below the maximum amount specified by European regulations. This is especially important for fatty foods, as certain compounds can be extracted more easily.
For testing the suitability of plastics for contact with fatty foods, simulant D2 is used. This simulant is a vegetable oil with a specified fatty acid distribution and is used in overall migration determinations for foods that contain free fats at the surface, such as fried foods and those preserved in oil. The overall migration limit is set as 10 mg of total constituents per dm2 of food contact surface, and 60mg of total constituents per kilogram of food simulant for items intended for infants and young children.
The length of time that the plastic is in contact with the food and the temperature are critical factors in migration testing. Higher temperatures and longer contact times can allow for a greater migration of constituents from the plastic to the food. Overall migration testing is conducted under standard conditions or worst foreseeable conditions, depending on the effect of temperature on the plastic being examined. For example, for items with transitory contact at room temperature, a food contact time of 30 minutes at a temperature of 40°C is specified.
To perform migration testing, different simulants are selected based on the food type and conditions of use. Aqueous foods can extract hydrophilic compounds, while fatty foods can extract lipophilic compounds. The combination of food simulants A, B, and D2 covers the testing for all types of foods. Simulants A (10% ethanol) and B (3% acetic acid) are assigned for foods with hydrophilic properties, while simulant D2 is meant for foods with lipophilic properties, or fatty foods. Migration testing of food packaging often involves mimicking the worst-case scenario, with the most unfavorable foreseeable conditions in terms of temperature and testing time.
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Plastic chemicals in food packaging
Plastic food packaging has been found to contain thousands of chemicals, many of which can have toxic effects on the human body. These chemicals can enter our food and drinks in several ways, from the plastic used in the processing and packaging to the water and soil that comes into contact with fresh produce.
One of the most common types of chemicals found in plastic food packaging is plasticizers, such as phthalates, which are used to make plastic more flexible and durable. These chemicals have been linked to a range of health concerns, including endocrine disruption, which can interfere with hormone production and regulation. Other chemicals found in plastic packaging include bisphenols, such as BPA, which has been deemed safe for food contact by the FDA but has also been linked to health issues such as cancer and metabolic disorders.
The migration of these chemicals from plastic packaging into food is influenced by factors such as temperature and contact time. Higher temperatures and longer contact times can allow for greater migration of these chemicals into food. Overall migration testing is conducted under standard or worst-case scenario conditions to determine the total amount of constituents released from the plastic into a food simulant. Specific migration limits also exist for certain compounds, such as BPA, which was banned from use in baby bottles and infant formula cans in 2012.
The widespread presence of these chemicals in our food supply has raised concerns among consumers and regulators alike. While some efforts have been made to reduce the use of certain chemicals in food packaging, the lack of substantive limits on plastic-related chemicals in food production persists. As a result, consumers are advised to take practical steps to reduce their exposure, such as choosing fresh or frozen foods over canned goods and avoiding plastic packaging when possible.
Recent innovations, such as the development of a low-cost, portable tool by researchers at the University of British Columbia, offer a promising solution for detecting plastic particles in food and beverages. This tool uses fluorescent labeling to detect plastic particles, providing a quick and accessible method for consumers and technicians alike to monitor their exposure to plastic-related chemicals in their food and drinks.
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Plasticizers in plastic and other materials
Plasticizers are non-volatile organic substances (usually liquids) added to plastics and other materials to improve their flexibility, durability, and plasticity. They are also used to decrease viscosity and friction during the manufacturing process. Plasticizers are commonly added to polymers and plastics such as PVC, either to facilitate the handling of the raw material or to meet the demands of the end product's application.
The most common plasticizers are phthalates, which are used in over 90% of polymer plasticizers. Other plasticizers include trimellitates, adipate-based plasticizers, sebacate-based plasticizers, and bio-based plasticizers. The effect of plasticizers on elastic modulus depends on both temperature and concentration. Below a certain concentration, known as the crossover concentration, a plasticizer can decrease the modulus of a material. The material's glass transition temperature will decrease at all concentrations.
Plasticizers are also used in other materials such as rubber, adhesives, concrete, and stucco. In concrete, adding a small percentage of plasticizer allows for less water to be used, resulting in a stronger and more workable substance.
The presence of plasticizers in food is a growing concern for human health. Plasticizers can easily leach out of plastic and other materials, and their harmful effects may be cumulative. While the actual polymer has no health risks, some additives with lower molecular masses can be hazardous. Growing research shows that bisphenols and phthalates, which are commonly found in food packaging, are endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with hormone production and regulation. This can contribute to an increased risk of health problems, including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, birth defects, and infertility.
To address these concerns, testing methods have been developed to evaluate the suitability of plastics for use with fatty foods. Overall migration testing determines the total amount of constituents released into a food simulant, while specific migration refers to the migration of a particular compound. Migration testing helps ensure that the amount of migration is below the maximum limit specified by regulations.
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Health risks of plastic in food
Plastic is everywhere, even in the foods and beverages we consume. Plasticisers, such as phthalates, and other chemicals like bisphenols (including BPA) and nanoplastics, can find their way into our food during processing and packaging. These chemicals have been linked to a range of health concerns, even at very low levels.
Bisphenols and phthalates are endocrine disruptors, which means they can interfere with the production and regulation of hormones like estrogen. Even minor disruptions in hormone levels can contribute to an increased risk of several health problems, including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, birth defects, premature birth, neurodevelopmental disorders, and infertility. The effects of these chemicals can be cumulative, and constant exposure means they enter our blood and tissue almost as quickly as they are eliminated, making it difficult to trace any particular adverse health outcome, such as a heart attack or breast cancer, to these chemicals.
In addition, nanoplastics, due to their small size and large surface area, can absorb toxins and easily penetrate biological barriers within the human body. While the long-term impacts of ingesting plastic are still being studied, they show cause for concern.
To reduce exposure to these chemicals, one can choose foods with minimal packaging and avoid heating plastic in the microwave. It is also important to avoid petroleum-based plastic products and opt for alternatives like glass or stainless steel for food containers.
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Frequently asked questions
Researchers from UBC have developed a portable, low-cost device that can measure micro- and nanoplastics in food and beverages. The device uses fluorescent labeling to detect plastic particles ranging from 50 nanometres to 10 microns in size.
The device works with a smartphone or other mobile device to reveal the number of plastic particles in a sample. The plastic particles are visualized under a microscope with a green LED light and measured using image-capture software.
Plasticizers, such as phthalates, and chemicals like bisphenols (BPA) can have harmful effects on human health. These chemicals can interfere with hormone production and regulation, increasing the risk of health issues such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.
Plastic can enter our food through packaging, processing equipment, and contaminated water or soil. It can also be present in the tubing, conveyor belts, and gloves used during food processing.
To reduce your exposure, you can avoid petroleum-based plastic products and opt for alternatives like glass or stainless steel for food containers. It is also important to support the development of biodegradable packaging materials to replace traditional plastics.
