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Microplastics in food sold in France: a matter of containers ?
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Researchers assessed microplastic contamination in food sold in France, comparing contamination levels across products packaged in different container types to determine whether packaging materials rather than environmental ubiquity represent the primary microplastic exposure route in the French food supply.
Microplastics (MPs ¡ 5 mm) are present in all environmental compartments (water, soil and air) as well as in terrestrial and aquatic organisms including crops and livestock. Recent studies have also confirmed that this contamination may extend to food due to the ubiquity of microplastics. However, due to the difficulties of recovery related to in several type of foods matrices, research has focused mainly on contamination in salt, water and seafood products. There are also studies on fruits and vegetables and other beverages such as soft drinks and beer, these works remains limited, focusing primarily on the content rather than considering the containers. In addition, the comparison of the studies is a difficult exercise due to the lack of harmonization. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the levels of MP contamination in different foods sold in France. In order to start, beverages (water, soft drinks, beer, wine) sold in different containers: plastic, glass, brick, can and cubitainer were studied. Different brands in each category were analyzed by filtering the samples, characterizing the particles (size, shape, color) with a stereomicroscope and then identifying the microplastics with a µFT-IR. Results show a level of MP contamination that varies according to the beverage category, but more importantly, according to the food container. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559322/document
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