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Microplastic contamination in barrel-packaged instant noodles and human risk assessment
Summary
Scientists tested cup instant noodles from 10 brands across four countries and found that preparing one cup the normal way (adding hot water) releases about 318 tiny plastic particles that you then eat along with your noodles. Most of these particles were tiny synthetic fibers and polyethylene (a common plastic), likely coming from the packaging or manufacturing process. While researchers are still studying exactly how microplastics affect our bodies long-term, this study is a reminder that even everyday convenience foods can be a source of plastic exposure.
： Microplastics are ubiquitous in the natural environment and commonly found in food. They have been shown to enter the human body and pose risks to human health. While instant products represent the most convenient dietary option for many people, few studies have examined microplastic contamination in barrel-packaged instant noodles. Therefore, this study employed attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) micro-spectroscopy to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses of 10 of brands’ instant noodle cup samples from four countries, assessing their microplastic release concentrations and polymer composition. The results indicate that under standard preparation conditions, the consumption of one cup leads to the ingestion of 318 ± 94.03 microplastic particles. Synthetic fibers and polyethylene microplastics were the most prevalent, with the vast majority measuring less than 500μm in size. These findings confirm the widespread microplastic contamination in barrel-packaged instant noodles, underscoring the importance of investigating contamination pathways and developing mitigation strategies throughout the production chain to reduce microplastic exposure.