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A spoonful of sugar: human exposure to microplastics through consumption of processed sugarcane.
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Researchers found tiny plastic bits (microplastics) in both white and brown sugar sold in stores, likely coming from equipment used during processing rather than the plants themselves or packaging. The amounts were surprisingly high, so much so that sugar may expose you to more microplastics than other foods studied so far, including salt, meaning your morning coffee or baked goods could be a bigger source of plastic exposure than previously thought. More research is needed to know exactly how this affects health, but it's a good reason for manufacturers to clean up their processing methods.
With increasing evidence of ingestion and uptake of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics by humans, combined with potential toxicological impacts from exposure and accumulation, it is important to understand their primary exposure routes. The ingestion of MPs via consumption of MP-contaminated foodstuffs appears to be an important exposure route for humans. The current study investigated MP levels in commercially available processed white and brown sugars, attempted to identify the primary sources of MP contamination and estimated human exposure to MPs from sugar consumption. The abundance of MPs varied from 18 to 34 items/100 g (270 ± 82 items/kg) in white sugar and from 4 to 20 items/100 g (103 ± 85 items/kg) in brown sugar. The most common MP type was <1 mm in size, black in colour and fibre-like in morphology. The MPs were comprised of PP, PET, CP and PEU, with PP and PET being the most abundant polymers observed in both white and brown sugars. Physicochemical characterisation of the MPs found in the sugar samples suggests that processing steps, and not uptake from soil by sugarcane plants or contamination from plastic packaging, are the main source of MP contamination. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) revealed a range of elements present on the MP surfaces, some of which are known to be toxic. These might have been derived from metal-based plastic additives or adsorbed from the surrounding environment. Using the available sugar intake data, we estimated that the annual intake of MPs by an average person is approximately 11,262 items/kg-bw/year for white sugar and 10,204 items/kg-bw/year for brown sugar. These MP ingestion levels are at least an order of magnitude higher than for salt and other foodstuffs. The results of this study can serve as a useful basis for implementing mitigation actions to reduce MP contamination during refined sugar production.
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The plastic footprint of sugar: Microplastic contamination in Bangladesh's commercial sugar
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Scientists tested sugar sold in Bangladesh and found tiny plastic particles, called microplastics, in nearly every sample—loose, unbranded sugar had even more than packaged brands. The good news: while the plastic types found could theoretically be harmful in large amounts, the actual levels detected were well below concerning thresholds. Still, since sugar is eaten daily by most people, this adds to a growing body of evidence that plastic contamination is quietly making its way into everyday foods, and it's worth keeping an eye on.
Hidden Pollutants in Food: Evidence of Small Microplastic Particles (100–5 µm) in Refined Sugar from the Italian Market
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Researchers found microplastic particles (5–100 µm) in refined sugar sold in the Italian market, adding to growing evidence that common everyday foods are a route of human microplastic exposure. The dataset accompanies a study confirming contamination even in highly processed food products, raising questions about how much plastic people inadvertently consume through their diet.
Hidden Pollutants in Food: Evidence of Small Microplastic Particles (100–5 µm) in Refined Sugar from the Italian Market
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Researchers analyzed samples of refined sugar from the Italian market and detected small microplastic particles ranging from 5 to 100 micrometers in size, confirming that microplastics are present in a widely consumed everyday food product. The findings add to growing evidence that humans are routinely ingesting microplastics through common foods, even highly processed ones like refined sugar where contamination pathways are not immediately obvious. This raises questions about cumulative dietary exposure and the need for food safety standards around microplastic contamination.
Evaluation of Microplastic Contamination in Table Sugar: What Does Sugar Have Besides Its Sweetness?
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Researchers analyzed table sugar from sachets consumed in 24 countries and found microplastic contamination in 100 percent of the samples tested. They identified nearly 4,000 microplastic particles across the samples, predominantly filaments made of polyurethane, PET, and polyethylene. The study suggests that sugar is a previously underrecognized source of dietary microplastic exposure and raises food safety concerns about contamination during packaging.
RETRACTED: Are there plastic particles in my sugar? A pioneering study on the characterization of microplastics in commercial sugars and risk assessment
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Researchers analyzed five brands of commercial sugar for microplastic contamination and found plastic-like particles present in the samples. The study characterized the types and sizes of particles found, suggesting that food processing and packaging may introduce microplastics into everyday food products. Note: this paper has been retracted, so its findings should be interpreted with caution.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.