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Detection, characterization, and human exposure risk assessment of microplastics in soft drinks from Indian markets with an integrated consumer behavior survey approach
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Researchers tested 12 popular Indian soft drink brands and found tiny plastic particles (called microplastics) in every single sample, with colored sodas containing the highest amounts. Most of these particles were tiny plastic fibers, likely shedding from packaging and production equipment, and while scientists are still studying the long-term health effects of ingesting microplastics, this study adds to growing evidence that they're showing up in many everyday foods and drinks we consume. The findings suggest a need for better manufacturing practices and safety standards to reduce this exposure.
In this study, twelve commercially available soft drink brands in India were analyzed to assess microplastic (MP) contamination. Morphological characterization such as colour, shape, and size as well as chemical characterization (ATR-FTIR) were performed. Consumer behaviour data was collected through a structured survey (n=506) to contextualize exposure risks. MPs were detected in all beverage samples, with abundance ranging from 2.3 ± 0.5 MPs/L to 44.3 ± 12 MPs/L. The coloured carbonated beverages had the highest concentration of microplastics (24.7 ± 15.3 MPs/L). The dominant shapes were fibers, and the most frequently occurring fibers were white, blue, and black in colour. Size distribution analysis revealed that 68% of the microplastics fell within the range of 100-500 μm range. Polymer identification revealed Polyester terephthalate (50%) as the most prevalent polymer, followed by nylon-6,6 (23%), and polyacrylonitrile (17%). PCA and hierarchical clustering highlighted brand-specific MP fingerprints, while correlation analysis revealed strong associations between MP abundance, PET, and fibers. Risk assessment on estimated daily intake (EDI) and estimated annual intake (EAI) were found to be 0.01 to 0.16 MPs/Kg/bw/day and 3.11 to 59.06 MPs/Kg/bw/year, respectively. The study provides the first evidence of MP contamination in Indian soft drinks, aligning with global reports of PET dominance in bottled beverages. The findings highlight packaging and production pathways as key contributors, underscoring the need for stricter monitoring of health risks, beverage production, processing, and safety.
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