Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Plastic particles in fresh and processed seafood products from Germany

This study measured plastic particle contamination in fresh and processed seafood products from Germany, comparing levels in products that retain digestive tissues versus those where gut contents are removed during processing. Plastic particles were found in both product types, with processing influencing but not eliminating contamination in the edible seafood fraction.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in fresh and processed seafood – A survey of products sold in Germany

Researchers tested 130 fresh and processed seafood products from German retail stores and found microplastics in the majority of samples, with counts ranging from 0 to 183 particles per gram. Most detected particles were smaller than 150 micrometers, and processed products like smoked and canned seafood showed higher contamination, suggesting that packaging and processing add to the problem. The study provides concrete data on how much microplastic people may be consuming through everyday seafood purchases.

2025 Food Control 9 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparative analysis of microplastic pollution in commercially relevant seafood across different geographical regions

This study compared microplastic contamination across commercially relevant seafood species commonly consumed in the European market, characterizing both the morphological and chemical properties of particles found in edible tissue. Results showed widespread but variable contamination across species, with polymer types and particle abundance differing by species and tissue type.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Isolation and characterization of microplastics in marine foodstuff

This study isolated and characterized microplastics from a variety of marine food products including canned fish and shellfish, finding contamination in all tested products. The results confirm that processed seafood products carry microplastics through to consumers, expanding the known routes of human dietary exposure.

2017 Universiti Putra Malaysia Institutional Repository (Universiti Putra Malaysia)
Article Tier 2

Comparative analysis of microplastic pollution in commercially relevant seafood across different geographical regions

Researchers analyzed microplastic pollution in commercially important seafood species, characterizing particle morphology and polymer composition across species. The study found microplastics in all species sampled, with differences in contamination levels linked to feeding ecology and habitat.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Plastics for dinner: Store-bought seafood, but not wild-caught from the Great Barrier Reef, as a source of microplastics to human consumers

Researchers found that store-bought seafood in Australia contained significantly more microplastics than wild-caught species from the Great Barrier Reef, suggesting that processing and packaging contribute substantially to microplastic contamination in commercial seafood.

2022 Environmental Advances 38 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence, sources and potential human health risk of microplastics in seafood species

Researchers measured microplastic occurrence in seafood products available in local markets, identifying plastics in multiple species including fish, shrimp, and bivalves, and estimated potential human dietary intake based on consumption data. The study found that seafood lovers could ingest thousands of microplastic particles per year through regular consumption, with shellfish representing the highest per-serving exposure.

2024 Chinese Science Bulletin (Chinese Version)
Article Tier 2

Exposure of U.S. adults to microplastics from commonly-consumed proteins

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in 16 commonly consumed protein products in the United States, including seafoods, terrestrial meats, and plant-based proteins at three levels of processing. Microplastics were detected across all protein categories, with highly processed products generally containing more particles than minimally processed ones.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

A preliminary analysis of microplastics in edible versus non-edible tissues from seafood samples.

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in commercially important fish and shellfish species, comparing levels in edible versus non-edible tissues. The study found microplastics present across multiple species and tissue types, providing preliminary evidence that the edible portions of seafood may contain microplastic particles, which has implications for understanding human dietary exposure.

2020 Environmental Pollution 152 citations
Article Tier 2

Exposure of U.S. adults to microplastics from commonly-consumed proteins

Researchers measured microplastic contamination in 16 protein foods purchased in the US, including seafoods, meats, and plant-based products at different processing levels. Microplastics were detected across all protein categories, with processing level influencing contamination amounts.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastics in store-bought fresh and processed clams in Italy

Researchers measured microplastic occurrence in store-bought fresh and processed clam products in Italy, detecting particles in all examined products and finding higher concentrations in minimally processed compared to heavily processed clams.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 7 citations
Article Tier 2

From the ocean to our kitchen table: anthropogenic particles in the edible tissue of U.S. West Coast seafood species

Researchers quantified anthropogenic particles, including microplastics, in the edible tissue of six U.S. West Coast seafood species. The study found particles in nearly all individuals examined (180 of 182), with fibers being the dominant type at 82%, and evidence suggests that additional contamination may occur during processing from ocean to market.

2024 Frontiers in Toxicology 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and Their Possible Effects on Seafoods

This review examines how microplastics enter seafood through ingestion and surface contamination, discussing evidence for plastic presence in fish, shellfish, and other seafood products consumed by humans. The authors evaluate potential health risks from both the plastic particles themselves and the chemical additives and pollutants they carry.

2024
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastics in commercial meat: a comparison between raw and processed products

Researchers compared microplastic contamination in raw versus processed commercial meats, finding that processing steps can introduce or increase microplastic levels. The study highlights food processing as an underappreciated pathway for microplastic exposure in terrestrial animal products.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the edible tissues of shellfishes sold for human consumption

Researchers analyzed the edible tissues of four shellfish species sold for human consumption and found microplastics present in all samples examined. Fibers were the most commonly detected particle type, with polymer identification confirming synthetic origins including polyethylene and polypropylene. The findings raise concerns about human dietary exposure to microplastics through commercially available seafood products.

2020 Chemosphere 204 citations
Meta Analysis Tier 1

Microplastic Contamination of Seafood Intended for Human Consumption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

This meta-analysis is the first to systematically quantify microplastic contamination in seafood sold for human consumption. The findings confirm that people are regularly ingesting microplastics through seafood, underscoring the need for action to reduce plastic pollution in our oceans and better understand the health effects of this exposure.

2020 Environmental Health Perspectives 258 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastics in commercial meat: a comparison between raw and processed products

Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in commercial meat products, comparing raw and processed forms to assess human dietary exposure. Microplastic particles were detected across multiple meat types, with processing steps influencing both the concentration and type of particles present.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

The Global Spread of Microplastics: Contamination in Mussels, Clams, and Crustaceans from World Markets

Researchers used a standardized method to analyze microplastic contamination in commercially sold clams, mussels, and crustacean shellfish from markets in Belgium, Croatia, Serbia, and South Korea. Microplastics were found in about 44% of the 190 samples, with less than one particle per individual on average, and crustacean shellfish had the lowest contamination per gram of edible tissue. The type of shellfish was a stronger predictor of contamination levels than geographic origin, and the data did not support bioaccumulation with animal size.

2024 Foods 10 citations
Review Tier 2

Relevance and reliability of evidence for microplastic contamination in seafood: A critical review using Australian consumption patterns as a case study

Researchers critically reviewed evidence on microplastic contamination in seafood, using Australian consumption patterns as a case study to assess human exposure risk. They found that while microplastics have been documented in many commercial marine species, most contamination is found in tissues that are not typically consumed by humans. The study concludes that current evidence does not support significant dietary microplastic exposure from seafood but calls for better standardized research methods.

2021 Environmental Pollution 65 citations
Article Tier 2

Micro- and nano-plastic contamination in foods and potential risk to human health

This review summarizes the current state of knowledge about micro- and nanoplastic contamination in food, covering sources, occurrence, and analytical detection methods. Researchers found that while various foods, especially seafood, contain measurable levels of microplastics, the health risks to humans remain difficult to assess due to inconsistent research methods. The study calls for standardized approaches to better evaluate dietary exposure and potential health impacts.

2025 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic risks in the seafood in terms of food safety and their research methods

Microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in aquatic organisms including fish, shellfish, and marine mammals, and can transfer into the human food supply through seafood. This review summarizes the health risks and detection methods used to identify microplastics in seafood, noting that some food processing steps may also introduce contamination.

2020 AQUATIC RESEARCH 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in fillets of Mediterranean seafood. A risk assessment study

Researchers analyzed fillets of several common Mediterranean seafood species for microplastic contamination and estimated the associated human dietary exposure. They detected microplastics in the edible tissue of all species tested, including sardines, sea bream, and mussels. The study provides risk estimates suggesting that regular seafood consumption represents a notable pathway for human microplastic ingestion.

2021 Environmental Research 101 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Fish and Shellfish – A Threat to Seafood Safety?

This review evaluated the current knowledge on microplastic contamination in fish and shellfish in relation to seafood safety. Researchers found that while microplastics are commonly detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of fish (which are typically not consumed), bivalves and small fish eaten whole may present a more direct route of human exposure, though the overall health risk from microplastics in seafood remains uncertain.

2020 Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology 131 citations
Review Tier 2

Microplastics in Food: Literature Review

This literature review analyzed data on microplastic presence across various food groups, summarizing findings on the occurrence, concentrations, and polymer types of microplastics detected in seafood, fresh produce, processed foods, and beverages.

2025 Open Science Framework