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Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Beverage Supply Chain: A systematic review of sampling methodologies and analytical techniques
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This review paper looked at 42 studies on how scientists detect tiny plastic particles (microplastics and nanoplastics) in drinks like water, soda, and juice, finding that current testing methods vary a lot and often aren't standardized enough to give reliable, comparable results. This matters because if we can't consistently measure how much plastic is actually in our beverages, it's hard to know the real scale of our exposure or accurately assess any health risks—the researchers call for better, more consistent testing methods so this can be figured out.
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have been widely recognized as emerging pollutants of considerable environmental and public health concern due to their persistence, heterogeneity, and potential for bioaccumulation in food and beverage systems. Identifying MPs and NPs at trace and ultra-trace levels within complex beverage matrices presents significant analytical challenges due to interference from sugars, pigments, carbonation, lipids, and proteins, with the broad size range and varied polymer chemistries of plastic particles. This systematic review critically evaluates forty-two peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025 that investigate sampling, extraction, identification, and quantification techniques for MPs and NPs across the beverage supply chain. Following PRISMA guidelines, the assessment compares the performance of dominant analytical platforms including micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR), micro-Raman spectroscopy (µ-Raman), pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled with Raman detection, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), and hybrid multi-platform workflows. µ-FTIR and µ-Raman remain the most widely used particle-based approaches, while AF4–Raman and Py-GC/MS provide enhanced nanoscale resolution and polymer specificity. However, methodological inconsistencies, undefined detection limits, variable digestion efficiencies, and a lack of beverage-specific reference materials continue to limit cross-study comparability. The review highlights critical needs for standardized QA/QC protocols, validated nanoplastic workflows, contamination-controlled sampling procedures, and integration of AI-assisted spectral classification. Advancements in multimodal analytical systems and matrix-tailored sample preparation represent essential future directions for comprehensive monitoring and exposure assessment of MPs and NPs in beverages.
More Papers Like This
Analytical Variability in Microplastic Quantification: A Narrative Review of Commercial Beverages
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This review of 17 studies found that microplastic levels reported in drinks like soda, beer, and juice vary wildly, not necessarily because some drinks are truly more contaminated, but because scientists are using very different testing methods, size cutoffs, and measurement units. This means we can't yet trust comparisons like "beer has more microplastics than water," and importantly, none of these studies tell us whether the particles we swallow are actually harmful to our health. Bottom line: more standardized testing is needed before we can know how worried to be about microplastics in our beverages.
Microplastics and nanoplastics in drinking water and beverages: occurrence and human exposure
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This review examines the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics in drinking water and beverages across different countries and regions, finding significant variation in contamination levels. Differences in water treatment efficiency, pollution sources, and the amount of water people consume all influence human exposure estimates, which can vary by orders of magnitude between studies. The study highlights the need for standardized measurement methods and calls attention to the poorly understood risks posed by nanoplastics in what we drink.
Micro and nano plastics: contaminants in beverages and prevention strategies
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This review examines how microplastics and nanoplastics end up in beverages through plastic packaging, bottling processes, and environmental contamination. Researchers discuss the potential health risks these tiny particles pose to consumers and evaluate current detection methods, noting the need for standardized testing. The study recommends advanced filtration, alternative packaging materials, and stronger regulations as strategies to reduce plastic contamination in drinks.
Microplastics in Water: A Comparative Review of Sampling, Sample Preparation, and Analytical Identification Methods
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This review looked at how scientists currently test water for microplastics and found the methods vary widely, from filter size to chemical processing, which can lead to inconsistent results. That matters because without standardized testing, it's hard to know how much microplastic is really in our water and what that means for our health.
Micro- and Nanoplastic Water Contamination: Comparative Review of Classical Analytical Methods and Advanced Sensors
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Tiny plastic particles in our water, small enough to carry other harmful chemicals and even drug-resistant germs, are hard to detect, and this review of 53 studies shows that testing methods are still catching up, especially for the smallest "nanoplastic" particles. Most research so far has used lab-created samples rather than real tap or river water, meaning we still don't have a clear, reliable picture of how much of this contamination is actually in the water we drink every day. Until testing methods improve and become standardized, regulators can't set firm safety limits, which matters because these particles may be more common in our water supply than current science can confirm.
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