We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics and plastics-associated contaminants in food and beverages; Global trends, concentrations, and human exposure
AI summary Read the abstract
This review provides a global overview of microplastic contamination in food and beverages, including seafood, salt, honey, sugar, beer, milk, and drinking water. It estimates that humans may consume tens of thousands of microplastic particles per year through their diet, with concentrations varying widely by food type and region. The authors also examine plastics-associated chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A that can leach from packaging into food, compounding the health risk.
Microplastics has become a global concern due to their ubiquitous presence which poses unavoidable human exposure risks. Geographical distribution and yearly trends of research on microplastics, food, and beverages do not exist. Thus, no overall account is available regarding the presence of microplastics and plastics-associated contaminants in food and beverages. Hence, this attempt is to review the geographical distribution of studies through a brief bibliometric analysis and the plastics-associated contaminants including plasticizers and microplastics in food and beverages. Estimated microplastic consumption has been listed for the pool of publications reviewed here. Further, this review discusses the ingestion potency of micropollutants associated with microplastics, possible health impacts, and existing challenges. Global trend in research exponentially increased after 2018 and China is leading. Studies on microplastics were limited to a few beverages and food; milk, beer, tea, refreshing drinks, salt, sugar, honey, etc., whereas seafood and drinking water have been extensively studied. Publications on plastic-additives were reported in two ways; migration of plastic-additives from packaging by leaching and the presence of plastic-additives in food and beverages. Bisphenol A and bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate were the most frequently reported both in food and beverages. Exposure of packaging material to high temperatures predominantly involves plastic-additive contamination in food and beverages. Microplastics-bound micropollutants can also be ingested through food and beverages; however, a lack of knowledge exists. The complex matrix of food or beverages and the absence of standard procedures for analysis of microplastics and micropollutants exist as challenges. More investigations on the presence of microplastics and plastic-additives in food and beverage are urgent needs to a better assessment of potential human exposure and human health risk.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic Contamination in the Global Food Supply Chain
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review assessed global microplastic contamination across food supply chain products from 2007 to 2022, including seafood, salt, honey, beer, and bottled water. Virtually all food categories showed microplastic presence, with seafood showing the highest levels and highlighting that diverse dietary sources collectively contribute to daily human plastic ingestion.
Food and human safety: the impact of microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
This review characterizes the scope of microplastic contamination in the human food supply, examining how these particles enter food through environmental contamination, processing, and packaging. Researchers found microplastics in a wide range of foods including seafood, salt, honey, and beverages, with concentrations varying by food type and region. The study highlights the need for standardized detection methods and risk assessments to better understand the health implications of dietary microplastic exposure.
Review of micro- and nanoplastic contamination in the food chain
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines the contamination of the human food chain by micro- and nanoplastics, covering evidence from seafood, beverages, salt, honey, and other common foods. While environmental impacts of plastics are well-studied, the review highlights how little is known about the actual health consequences for humans consuming these particles.
Microplastics contamination in food products: Occurrence, analytical techniques and potential impacts on human health
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the occurrence of microplastics in a wide range of food products — including drinking water, seafood, honey, salt, and vegetables — and the health effects of ingesting them, which include inflammation, gut microbiome disruption, hormone disruption, and increased cancer risk. The review calls for standardized detection methods and a multi-pronged strategy combining source reduction, better recycling, and biodegradable plastic alternatives.
Micro(nano)plastics in commercial foods: A review of their characterization and potential hazards to human health
AI summary Read the abstract
This review compiles evidence of micro- and nanoplastic contamination found in commercial food products including seafood, beverages, salt, sugar, and honey. Researchers summarize the various laboratory techniques used to isolate, identify, and quantify these particles in food samples. The study highlights that dietary intake is a major route of human microplastic exposure and calls for standardized detection methods to better assess the scope of contamination across the food supply.
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.