Maya Ellison
Plastic is found in almost everything we eat. Microplastics, fragments of plastic smaller than 5mm in length, have been detected in fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat, fast food, and even bottled water. Plasticizers, such as phthalates and bisphenols like BPA, are chemicals used to make plastic more flexible and durable, and they have been linked to various health concerns. While there are ways to reduce exposure, such as drinking tap water from glass containers and avoiding plastic packaging, the widespread presence of plastics in our food is concerning and requires further investigation and regulation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plasticizers | Phthalates, Bisphenols, BPA |
| Plasticizer sources | Tubing, conveyor belts, gloves, water, soil |
| Plasticizer health risks | Interference with hormone production, endocrine disruptors, potentially cumulative harmful effects |
| Foods with plasticizers | Fast food, supermarket staples, bottled water, wine with plastic stoppers, rice, fish, meat, produce |
| Reducing plasticizer exposure | Use tap water, avoid plastic containers, use glass/enamel/foil, wear natural fabrics, don't microwave plastic |
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What You'll Learn
Bottled water
The water contained particles of all seven types of plastic. The most common was polyamide, a type of nylon that’s often used to help filter and purify water. An abundance of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was also detected. This might be expected since PET is used to make bottles for water, soda, and many other drinks and foods. Other identified plastics included polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, and polystyrene, which is also used in water purification.
The researchers also determined the shapes of the plastic particles, which could be valuable in biomedical research. The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) responded to the study, stating that there is "both a lack of standardized methods and no scientific consensus on the potential health impacts of nano- and microplastic particles."
The presence of nanoplastics and microplastics in bottled water is a growing concern, as plastic pollution can have negative effects on the environment and human health. While the health impacts of consuming nanoplastics and microplastics are not yet fully understood, it is important to consider the potential risks associated with ingesting plastic particles.
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Salt
Sea salt has the highest concentration of microplastics, due to the contamination of ocean waters. A 2023 study analyzing 13 European brands of sea salt found levels ranging from 74 to 1,155 particles per kilogram, with traditionally harvested salts containing significantly fewer plastics. The most common type of plastic found in sea salt is polyethylene terephthalate, which is used to make plastic bottles. While the health impact of ingesting trace plastics is still unclear, sea salt can contribute to overall exposure to microplastics.
Other types of salt also contain microplastics. A study of 39 brands of salt found that only three did not contain microplastics. Researchers estimated that an average adult consumes around 2,000 microplastic particles a year from salt. Lake salt and rock salt also contain microplastics, with lake salt having a higher concentration than rock salt.
The presence of microplastics in salt is a concern for food safety. Microplastics can act as a vessel for harmful substances to enter the body, as they can absorb chemicals linked to cancers and weakened immune systems. They can also cause damage to human cells, decrease reproductive health, and disrupt the endocrine system.
To reduce exposure to microplastics in salt, it is recommended to use mined rock salt or Himalayan pink salt, which are less likely to be contaminated with modern microplastics. If using sea salt, choose brands that use traditional harvesting methods or third-party packaging.
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Rice
Rumours about plastic rice being passed off as food have been circulating since 2010, but food safety agencies have not found any evidence to support these claims. However, a study by the University of Queensland found that people consume 3 to 4 milligrams of plastic for every 100 grams of rice they eat, with the number jumping to 13 milligrams per serving for instant rice. The study also found that washing rice reduced plastic contamination by 20 to 40%.
The study by the University of Queensland tested for seven different plastic types, ranging from the most common plastic, polyethylene, to plastics used in clothing and food production, laminates, technical engineering, polystyrene, acrylics, and tube piping. The researchers used a novel technique for plastics analysis in food, utilising pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) followed by double-shot pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS) to estimate the mass concentration of selected plastic polymers in rice.
The results of the study showed that instant rice had four times higher levels of plastics than uncooked rice, suggesting that industrial processing increases contamination. The annual consumption of plastic through rice for Australians was estimated to be around 1 gram per person. The study also found that washing rice with water significantly reduced plastic contamination, with researchers recommending that consumers continue to follow instructions to wash rice before cooking.
While the health effects of consuming microplastics are still being researched, it is important to reduce exposure to plastics where possible. Environmental contamination experts recommend reducing the amount of plastic used at home, and choosing food stored in glass, enamel, or foil containers instead of plastic.
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Seafood
Molluscs, such as mussels, oysters, and scallops, are known to contain high levels of microplastics. This is because they are bottom feeders, acting as a natural filtering system for the oceans. As people often eat these molluscs whole, they may be exposed to a larger dose of microplastics than they would from eating larger fish, where the plastic contaminants are often found in the gills and gastrointestinal tracts, rather than the flesh. However, it is important to note that microplastics have been found in the fillets and livers of fish, suggesting that plastics are not just passing through the gut but are travelling to other parts of the body, including the parts we eat.
In addition, microplastics have been shown to move into the circulatory system or surrounding tissue of marine animals, increasing the likelihood of human consumption. While the plastic particles themselves may not frequently end up in fish meat, there is evidence that the chemicals carried by plastics, including toxic substances like flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), do end up in the meat.
The presence of microplastics in seafood is a growing concern, but the associated risks are not yet fully understood. Animal and human cell research has shown that microplastics can have adverse effects, and health officials have estimated that less than 0.3% of microplastics can cross from the human gut into the bloodstream. However, it may take decades to fully understand the effects of microplastics, as some health impacts may be cumulative and appear only after several years.
To reduce plastic exposure, individuals can take steps to prevent plastics from entering the environment and avoid using single-use plastics.
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Fast food
A 2024 Consumer Reports study tested 85 different food products for phthalates, and only one product was found to have zero phthalates. Burger King's Whopper with cheese was found to have more than 20,000 nanograms of phthalates per serving, while Wendy's crispy chicken nuggets had nearly 34,000 nanograms per serving. Another study by George Washington University researchers tested 64 fast-food items from McDonald's, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino's, Taco Bell, and Chipotle. They found that 81% of the food samples contained a phthalate called DnBP, and 70% contained DEHP. Foods containing meat, such as cheeseburgers and chicken burritos, had higher levels of these chemicals, while cheese pizzas and French fries had the lowest levels.
The presence of phthalates in food has been linked to various health issues, including endocrine disruption, liver toxicity, increased rates of heart disease and stroke, lower testosterone levels, developmental issues in children, and increased risk of obesity and diabetes. While the levels of phthalates found in fast food are below the Environmental Protection Agency's health protective thresholds, the FDA has stated that it will review the studies and consider them as part of its scientific evidence.
To reduce exposure to these harmful chemicals, consumers are advised to eat less processed food, avoid microwaving food in plastic containers, and opt for home-cooked meals instead of fast food. Eating organic food and using glass storage containers and wooden, silicone, or stainless-steel utensils can also help minimize exposure to plastic chemicals.
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Frequently asked questions
Some common foods that contain plastic include rice, fruits and vegetables, salt, seafood, fast food, and supermarket staples.
Plastic gets into our food through plastic packaging, plastic in the tubing, conveyor belts, and gloves used during food processing, and contaminated water and soil.
The health risks of consuming plastic are not yet fully understood, but growing research shows that certain chemicals in plastic, such as bisphenols and phthalates, are endocrine disruptors, which can interfere with hormone production and regulation.
