Maya Ellison
Plastics are found in almost everything we eat. A 2024 study found that bottled water contained an average of 240,000 plastic particles per litre. Seafood, especially shellfish, is also a major source of plastic consumption, as these creatures ingest plastics from polluted waters. Other foods with high levels of plastic include tea, salt, sugar, honey, rice, and pre-packaged meals. Even fruits and vegetables are not safe, with apples and carrots being the most contaminated.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Foods with the most plastic | Breaded shrimp, plant-based nuggets, chicken nuggets, bottled water, tea bags, rice, salt, sugar, fruits and vegetables (especially apples and carrots), beer, seafood, shellfish, honey |
| How to reduce plastic consumption | Drink tap water from glass or stainless steel containers, reduce consumption of packaged food, use non-plastic reusable water bottles, avoid pre-packaged meals, cook meals at home |
| Health concerns | Microplastics can release harmful chemicals, cause physical blockages in the body, damage human cells, decrease reproductive health, and disrupt the endocrine system |
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What You'll Learn
Seafood
Shellfish, such as mussels, oysters, and other filter-feeding animals, are particularly susceptible to accumulating microplastics in their guts. In addition, studies have found plastic in a third of UK-caught fish, including cod, haddock, mackerel, and shellfish. Breaded shrimp has been identified as the seafood with the highest plastic content, containing well over 300 microplastic pieces per serving.
The presence of microplastics in seafood is a growing concern due to their potential impact on human health. While the plastic particles themselves may not frequently end up in fish meat, the chemicals carried by microplastics, such as flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), can be transferred to the seafood. These chemicals have been linked to toxicity and can accumulate in the human body over time.
The increasing demand for seafood, with per capita fish consumption rising from 10kg in the 1960s to more than 19kg in 2012, exacerbates the problem. As seafood production continues to increase, the future viability of this food source is at risk due to our reliance on throwaway plastics.
To address this issue, it is crucial to reduce our use of single-use plastics and prevent plastics from entering the environment. Additionally, opting for seafood that is not packaged in plastic or heated in plastic containers can help minimize microplastic consumption.
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Salt
A 2023 study found that coarse Himalayan pink salt had the highest levels of microplastics, followed by black salt and marine salt. This is likely due to the fact that salt is often harvested from marine and coastal regions, making it susceptible to microplastic contamination. The same study also suggested that the contamination in mined salts might have originated from manufacturing, packaging, atmospheric, or storage processes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 5g/day as the maximum salt consumption for adults. However, this value is exceeded in most countries, with global salt intake estimated at an average of 10g/day. This means that the average adult consumer could ingest approximately 2,000 microplastics each year through salt alone, according to a 2018 study.
To reduce your exposure to microplastics, it is recommended to choose cleaner and safer salt options that are microplastic-free. Additionally, try to avoid eating anything stored in plastic containers and look for food stored in glass, enamel, or foil packaging.
While the long-term effects of ingesting microplastics are still being studied, early findings suggest potential health risks. Microplastics in food can carry harmful chemicals, and their minuscule size allows them to invade individual cells and tissues in major organs, potentially interrupting cellular processes.
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Bottled water
Plastic pollution is a growing concern, and it has been found that microplastics are present in our food and water. A recent study found that there are roughly 240,000 detectable plastic fragments in a litre of bottled water. This is 10 to 100 times more than previously estimated, with the plastic particles coming from the bottles themselves.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, identified seven types of plastic in the bottled water, with 90% of the plastic fragments being nanoplastics. The most common type of plastic found was polyamide, a type of nylon often used to filter and purify water. An abundance of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic used to make bottles for water, soda, and other drinks and foods, was also detected. Other plastics included polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, and polystyrene, which is also used in water purification.
The presence of nanoplastics in bottled water is particularly concerning as these minuscule particles can invade individual cells and tissues in major organs, potentially disrupting cellular processes and depositing endocrine-disrupting chemicals. While the side effects of ingesting plastics are still being researched, some evidence suggests it can impact the endocrine and reproductive systems.
To minimize exposure to plastics, experts recommend switching to single-use aluminium water bottles or reusable water bottles made of metal or glass. It is important to note that simply pouring bottled water into another container or boiling it will not remove the plastic particles. While filtration can help, not all filters are effective in removing microplastics and nanoplastics. Tools like adsorbents, which bind to nanoplastics, can be more effective, but most consumer water filters do not use these methods.
The longer a bottle of water sits, the more time plastic has to diffuse into it, and external factors such as temperature can influence the quantity of plastic particles present. Water in a bottle that has been left in a car on a hot day will likely contain more plastic than water from a bottle stored at a controlled temperature and away from light.
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Tea
Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that have infiltrated various aspects of our environment, including the food and beverage industry. Tea bags made from plastic substances like polypropylene, nylon, and cellulose have been found to release billions of microplastic and nanoplastic particles into the brewed tea. These particles are released when the hot water breaks down the plastic components of the tea bag. A study published in 2024 found that tea bags made with polypropylene released approximately 1.2 billion plastic pieces per milliliter of tea.
The health consequences of ingesting microplastics are not yet fully understood, but studies have shown potential risks. Research on mice has indicated that exposure to microplastics can disrupt the gut biome, lower sperm quality and testosterone levels, and impair learning and memory. Additionally, a 2024 study in the New England Journal of Medicine linked the presence of microplastics in arterial plaque to an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
To reduce exposure to microplastics in tea, consumers can opt for loose-leaf tea prepared with a stainless steel or glass infuser. Alternatively, several brands offer biodegradable, plastic-free tea bags, such as Republic of Tea, Yogi Tea, Harney & Sons, Teapigs, and Tesco. These tea bags are typically made from plant-based materials like corn starch or biodegradable PLA (polylactic acid) and are fully compostable.
While the health effects of microplastics in tea are still being investigated, consumers concerned about their exposure can take proactive steps by choosing plastic-free tea options and supporting brands that prioritize sustainability and the reduction of plastic use in their products.
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Rice
The study also found that instant or pre-cooked rice, which comes in microwavable pouches, had four times the amount of plastic, with 13.3 mg per 100g serve. This suggests that industrial processing increases plastic contamination. Washing rice with water can reduce plastic contamination by 20-40%, but it is important to note that tap water itself contains microplastics.
The plastic contamination in rice may come from various sources. Rice is often packaged in plastic, and the industrial processing and handling of rice provide multiple opportunities for plastic contamination. The soil, water, and machinery used in rice cultivation and processing may also be sources of plastic pollution.
While the health effects of ingesting microplastics are not yet fully understood, experts recommend reducing plastic use and exposure as much as possible. This includes opting for glass or stainless steel containers for food and drinks and reducing the consumption of pre-packaged meals.
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Frequently asked questions
Seafood, especially shellfish, tends to contain the most plastics due to the ingestion of plastics from polluted waters.
Reduce your consumption of packaged food, choose fresh and unpackaged options, and support environmental initiatives that reduce plastic waste.
Salt, honey, tea, sugar, and drinking water can also contain microplastics due to environmental contamination and processing methods.
Plastics enter our food through plastic packaging and environmental contamination. Fruits and vegetables, for example, absorb microplastics through their root systems.
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