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RETRACTED: Are there plastic particles in my sugar? A pioneering study on the characterization of microplastics in commercial sugars and risk assessment
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Researchers analyzed five brands of commercial sugar for microplastic contamination and found plastic-like particles present in the samples. The study characterized the types and sizes of particles found, suggesting that food processing and packaging may introduce microplastics into everyday food products. Note: this paper has been retracted, so its findings should be interpreted with caution.
Although several studies are confirming the ubiquity of microplastics (MPs) in environments, our knowledge about their effects on human health is still very limited. Therefore, while we have not gathered definitive information on their consequences, studies that aim to identify the MPs sources constitute subsidies to better understand the various exposure pathways to these pollutants. Thus, we investigated the possible presence of MP-like particles in five brands of commercial sugars and two unpacked, unbranded, and unlabeled sugars (hereinafter referred to as "non-branded"), obtained from different supermarkets in Dhaka (Bangladesh). Surprisingly, MPs-like particles were identified in all analyzed samples and taken together, our data demonstrated similar variations (between branded and non-branded samples) in terms of number, size, shape, color, and polymer composition. The number of plastic particles/kg sugar was, on average, 343.7 ± 32.08 (mean ± SEM), having been observed a tendency for a higher frequency of MPs < 300 μm. Overall, microfibers and spherules were the most and the predominant colors of MPs (in general) were black, pink, blue, and brown. The FT-IR analysis confirmed the chemical nature of MPs (in branded and non-branded), having identified nine polymeric types (ABS, PCV, PET, EVA, CA, PTFE, HDPE, PC, and nylon), being ABS and PVC the most frequent. Furthermore, we estimate that sugar consumption in Dhaka City can cause the ingestion of millions of tons of MPs annually (2.4 to 25.6 tons) (with an average of 10.2 tons). Our study is the most comprehensive report on the MP's occurrence in sugar, confirming that the ingestion of this food constitutes an important route of human exposure to these micropollutants and, therefore, serves as a baseline for future assessments and useful for generating efficient strategies to control MPs.
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Researchers investigated the presence, concentration, and potential sources of microplastics in commercially available sugar products using spectroscopic characterization. Microplastics were detected across multiple sugar types, highlighting food-grade sugar as an overlooked route of human microplastic exposure and calling for improved quality control methods.
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.
Hidden Pollutants in Food: Evidence of Small Microplastic Particles (100–5 µm) in Refined Sugar from the Italian Market
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Researchers found microplastic particles (5–100 µm) in refined sugar sold in the Italian market, adding to growing evidence that common everyday foods are a route of human microplastic exposure. The dataset accompanies a study confirming contamination even in highly processed food products, raising questions about how much plastic people inadvertently consume through their diet.
Evaluation of Microplastic Contamination in Table Sugar: What Does Sugar Have Besides Its Sweetness?
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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.
A spoonful of sugar: human exposure to microplastics through consumption of processed sugarcane.
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Researchers found tiny plastic bits (microplastics) in both white and brown sugar sold in stores, likely coming from equipment used during processing rather than the plants themselves or packaging. The amounts were surprisingly high, so much so that sugar may expose you to more microplastics than other foods studied so far, including salt, meaning your morning coffee or baked goods could be a bigger source of plastic exposure than previously thought. More research is needed to know exactly how this affects health, but it's a good reason for manufacturers to clean up their processing methods.
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