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Are Microplastics a Macro Issue? A Review on the Sources of Contamination, Analytical Challenges and Impact on Human Health of Microplastics in Food
Summary
This systematic review examines how microplastics enter the human food supply and what health effects they may cause. The research found microplastics in a wide range of foods, but major inconsistencies in testing methods make it difficult to determine true contamination levels. While the full health impact remains unclear, the evidence suggests that microplastic exposure through food is widespread and warrants further study.
In recent years, human populations' exposure to microplastics via foods is becoming a topic of concern. Although microplastics have been defined as "emerging contaminants", their occurrence in the environment and food is quite dated. This systematic review aims to investigate the discrepancies which are characterizing the research in the microplastics field in foods, with particular regard to sample preparations, microplastics' concentrations and their effect on humans. For the selection of papers, the PRISMA methodology was followed. Discrepancies in the methodological approaches emerged and in the expression of the results as well, underlying the urgency in the harmonization of the methodological approaches. Uncertainties are still present regarding the adverse effects of microplastics on the human body. The scientific evidence obtained thus far is, in fact, not sufficient to demonstrate a concrete negative effect. This review has clearly underlined the need to standardise laboratory approaches to obtain useful results for better food safety management.