We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Hidden pollutants in food: Evidence of small microplastic particles (100–5 µm) in refined sugar from the Italian market
Summary
Researchers analyzed refined white sugar from major Italian brands for microplastic contamination using a novel approach that avoids chemical digestion. The study found that the majority of detected particles were smaller than 20 micrometers, with PVC as the most abundant polymer, highlighting a gap in current EU regulatory frameworks that do not fully address this size fraction in food monitoring.
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants increasingly reported in food, including sugar. This study presents a novel analytical approach enabling the detection of MPs < 20 µm without chemical digestion, preserving particle integrity through simple dissolution in ultrapure water. White sugars from major Italian brands and distributors were analyzed using µ-FTIR for MPs ≥ 50 µm and µ-Raman for particles between 5 and 50 µm. The µ-Raman results are semi-quantitative and based on sub-sampling of 34 % of the filter area. While µ-FTIR detected relatively few MPs, µ-Raman revealed that the majority of particles fell below 20 µm, with a strong predominance in the 5-10 µm range. PVC emerged as the most abundant polymer, followed by PE, PS, PP and PET. The presence of MPs in a widely consumed product raises questions regarding food safety and human exposure. The predominance of MPs < 20 µm - a fraction not fully addressed by current EU regulatory frameworks - underscores the need for harmonized, standardized methodologies for monitoring MPs in food.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Hidden Pollutants in Food: Evidence of Small Microplastic Particles (100–5 µm) in Refined Sugar from the Italian Market
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.
Hidden Pollutants in Food: Evidence of Small Microplastic Particles (100–5 µm) in Refined Sugar from the Italian Market
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.
Detection and Characterization of Microplastics in Commercial Sugar Types: a New Challenge for Quality Control
Researchers investigated the presence, concentration, and potential sources of microplastics in commercially available sugar products using spectroscopic characterization. Microplastics were detected across multiple sugar types, highlighting food-grade sugar as an overlooked route of human microplastic exposure and calling for improved quality control methods.
RETRACTED: Are there plastic particles in my sugar? A pioneering study on the characterization of microplastics in commercial sugars and risk assessment
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.
Evaluation of Microplastic Contamination in Table Sugar: What Does Sugar Have Besides Its Sweetness?
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.