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Quantitative and qualitative assessment of microplastics contamination in plastic-wrapped candies and estimation of dietary exposure in early childhood
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Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in plastic-wrapped candies from 20 countries across Asia and Africa and estimated the dietary exposure for children aged one to five. They found an average of nearly 7 particles per gram of candy, with fiber-shaped microplastics in the 200-500 micrometer range being the most common. The findings raise concerns about early childhood exposure to microplastics through widely consumed packaged foods.
Microplastic contamination in food products has become an emerging public health concern. However, limited information is available on their presence in foods commonly consumed by young children. Candies, particularly those wrapped in plastic packaging, are commonly eaten by children aged 1-5 years as part of their daily treats. This study investigated the extent of microplastic contamination in plastic-wrapped candies and estimated the daily intake levels of microplastics by children. Twenty branded candy samples were collected from 20 countries across Asia and Africa. The analysis revealed an average concentration of 6.73 ± 3.73 particles/g, with fiber-shaped microplastics dominating (70.13 %), primarily within the 200-500 μm size range (62.23 %), and mostly white or transparent in color. Polymer-specific analysis identified polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as the most prevalent polymer (38.21 %; 2.49 ± 1.22 particles/g), typically associated with plastic packaging and other pollution sources. The estimated average daily intake of microplastics for boys and girls across all age groups was 23.04 ± 0.93 and 24.61 ± 0.99 particles/kg bw/day, respectively, representing a potentially significant dietary exposure route. The study reveals widespread and varying microplastic contamination in candies. This highlights the need for safe packaging materials and processing, reducing the contamination of candies with microplastics.
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Researchers found that microplastics leach from plastic packaging into common foods including candy, pickles, and yogurt, with migration levels varying by simulant type and packaging material, raising concerns about human dietary exposure to microplastic contamination from food contact materials.
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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.
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Researchers quantified nanoplastic contamination across diverse commercial beverages and infant foods—including juices, milk, and purees—using pyrolysis-GC-MS, with particular attention to packaging material contributions. Nanoplastics were detected in all tested products, with packaging source strongly influencing contamination levels, and infant food products showed concerning nanoplastic burdens given young children's heightened vulnerability.
Estimation of Dietary Microplastic Ingestion: Empirical Analysis for Delhi-NCR
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Researchers in Delhi-NCR, India tested eight common foods for microplastics and surveyed 175 people about how often they ate them. Whole wheat flour had the highest microplastic levels and was eaten most often, while glass-packaged honey had none detected, suggesting staple foods may add to dietary microplastic exposure.
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.
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