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Isolation and identification of microplastics in infant formulas – A potential health risk for children
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Researchers tested 30 infant formula products and found microplastics in every single one, with polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET being the most common types. They estimated that formula-fed babies consume about 49 microplastic particles per day through their formula alone. This is concerning because infants are especially vulnerable to potential health effects from microplastics during critical stages of development.
Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles between 0.1 and 5,000 µm in size that can contaminate food. Unfortunately, to date, little attention has been paid to analyzing the presence of such particles in baby foods. The present study aimed to determine the degree of contamination of infant formula with MPs. A total of thirty products were subjected to analysis. The research methodology used included the isolation of plastic particles, identification and characterization of MPs using advanced microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Microplastics were detected in all tested samples. The most frequently identified polymers were polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, and poly(ethylene terephthalate). The particles exhibited diverse forms, including fibers, fragments, and films, displaying a range of colors such as colorless, black, and brown particles. Furthermore, the daily intake of MPs by children fed exclusively infant formula was estimated to be approximately 49 ± 32 MPs. This poses a potential health risk for the youngest.
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Researchers found microplastics in 13 brands of infant milk powder, with boxed products containing nearly twice as many particles as canned versions, likely from plastic-lined packaging. However, the biggest source of microplastic exposure for bottle-fed infants was not the powder itself but the plastic feeding bottles, which released nearly seven times more microplastics. This study highlights that the containers used to prepare and serve infant formula are a more significant source of microplastic exposure for babies than the formula itself.
Exposure of Infants to Microplastics
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Microplastic Exposure to Infants
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This review summarizes current evidence on microplastic exposure in infants, covering detection in feces, breast milk, and infant formulas. The authors highlight that infants may face greater health risks from microplastic exposure than adults due to immature metabolic systems and higher sensitivity.
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Researchers found that shaking polypropylene baby bottles and washing them with hot water releases millions of microplastic particles per liter, suggesting that bottle-fed infants may face unexpectedly high microplastic ingestion and recommending preparation techniques that minimize particle release.
Microplastics and endocrine-disrupting byproducts (bisphenol A & phthalate esters) in popular infant formula brands in Iran; qualification, quantification and risk assessment
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Researchers measured microplastics, bisphenol A, and phthalate esters in commercially available infant formula brands sold in Iran. MPs were detected in all sampled products, along with BPA and phthalates at concentrations raising concern given the vulnerability of infants and their near-total reliance on formula.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.