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Hidden risk of microplastics in milk tea and coffee: A case study from China's freshly-made beverage market
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Researchers tested 105 freshly made milk tea and coffee drinks from seven popular brands in China and found microplastics in 93% of the samples. The average cup contained about 10 particles, primarily polyamide, polyurethane, and PET, which likely originated from the surrounding environment rather than the ingredients themselves. The study estimates that Chinese adults may consume around 25 microplastic particles per kilogram of body weight each year from these beverages alone.
Microplastics (MPs) have been widely detected in commercial food, and they may have negative impacts on human health. However, MPs-related risks require further exploration. This study focused on the freshly-made beverages in mainland China to explore MPs-related risks in milk tea and coffee. A total of 105 samples from 7 well-known brands were purchased via 3 different approaches (delivery, shopping malls and subway stations). MPs were detected in 93 % of the samples, ranging from 0 to 43 particles·cup, with an average of 9.6 ± 9.5 particles·cup. There were significant differences in MP abundance among different brands, while the purchasing approaches had a negligible impact. Polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were the main polymer types, indicating that MPs mainly originated from the external environment. The characteristics of MPs in these beverages are similar to those found in the human stomach. Further estimation of annual MP intake from freshly-made milk tea and coffee revealed that the average intake of MPs by Chinese adults was 24.60 particles·yr·kg, and women intakes more than men. These findings fill a research gap on MP pollution in such beverages, and they are important for food safety.
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