Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Spices under the microscope: First detection and characterization of microplastics in turmeric, black pepper, and chili

Researchers detected microplastics for the first time in commonly consumed spices including turmeric, black pepper, and chili purchased from markets in Iran. The study found that bulk (loose) spice samples contained higher microplastic concentrations than packaged ones, with fragments and fibers being the most common particle types, identified by Raman spectroscopy as common polymers.

2026 Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering
Article Tier 2

Determination of particle abrasion through milling with five different salt grinders – a preliminary study by micro-Raman spectroscopy with efforts towards improved quality control of the analytical methods

Researchers tested five salt grinders with plastic and ceramic burrs using micro-Raman spectroscopy, finding that plastic-burred grinders released thousands of polyoxymethylene and PMMA particles per 0.1 g of salt, far exceeding contamination from ceramic grinders. Even reference salt contained 423 plastic particles per 0.1 g before grinding, highlighting food processing equipment as a significant source of microplastic contamination.

2020 Food Additives & Contaminants Part A 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of particle abrasion through milling with five different salt grinders – a preliminary study by micro-Raman spectroscopy with efforts towards improved quality control of the analytical methods

Researchers used micro-Raman spectroscopy to measure whether plastic and ceramic grinding burrs in salt mills shed microplastic particles into the salt during milling. Plastic burr mills released significantly more microplastic particles than ceramic ones, confirming that everyday food processing equipment can be a source of microplastic contamination in what we eat.

2020 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Determination of particle abrasion through milling with five different salt grinders – a preliminary study by micro-Raman spectroscopy with efforts towards improved quality control of the analytical methods

Researchers used micro-Raman spectroscopy to measure whether plastic and ceramic grinding burrs in salt mills shed microplastic particles into the salt during milling. Plastic burr mills released significantly more microplastic particles than ceramic ones, confirming that everyday food processing equipment can be a source of microplastic contamination in what we eat.

2020 Figshare
Article Tier 2

Investigating microplastic release from plastic grinder heads during salt grinding

**TLDR:** Researchers found that plastic salt grinders release thousands of tiny plastic particles (called microplastics) into your salt when you grind it—with some grinders releasing over 15,000 particles per small container of salt. This means people may be eating more plastic particles than previously thought, since the grinder itself creates new plastic contamination beyond what's already in food from environmental sources. The study suggests using more durable materials for food grinders could help reduce how much plastic we accidentally consume.

2026 The Science of The Total Environment
Article Tier 2

Preliminary observation of microplastic contamination in some spice-salt samples purchased in Hanoi city

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in spice-salt samples purchased in Hanoi, Vietnam, finding concentrations ranging from 320 to 1,880 particles per kilogram, with fibers comprising 99% of particles and blue, red, and black colors predominating, representing an early characterization of microplastic exposure through seasoning products.

2022 Heavy metals and arsenic concentrations in water agricultural soil and rice in Ngan Son district Bac Kan province Vietnam 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics retrieval from commercial rice brands in india: Characterization, dietary exposure, and risk assessment

Researchers detected and characterized microplastics in commercial rice brands from India for the first time, finding contamination in a staple food consumed by hundreds of millions of people. Fiber and fragment morphotypes dominated, with polymer identification confirming synthetic plastic rather than processing artifacts.

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

Microplastic Pollution in Table Salts from China

Researchers analyzed table salts produced in China and found microplastics contaminating samples from multiple salt types, suggesting that salt production processes and source water quality influence the extent of microplastic contamination in a common food ingredient.

2015 Environmental Science & Technology 1056 citations
Article Tier 2

Occurrence of microplastics in foodstuffs and the factors that affect their migration

Researchers investigated microplastic migration into cheese, cured meat, and honey under realistic food storage conditions, examining how factors such as packaging material, contact time, and food matrix properties influence the extent of contamination.

2025 National Archive of Doctoral Theses (National Documentation Center (Greece))
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination and Polymer Characteristics in Meatballs as Indicators of Food Safety in Kambu District, Kendari City, Indonesia

Researchers tested meatball samples from street vendors in Kendari City, Indonesia, and detected microplastics in every sample analyzed. Fragment-shaped particles were the most common form, and polyethylene was the predominant polymer, pointing to plastic packaging and processing equipment as likely contamination sources. The average concentration was 6.90 mg/kg, highlighting potential food safety concerns for widely consumed street foods.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microparticles in Table Salt: Levels and Chemical Composition of the Smallest Dimensional Fraction

Analysis of commercially available table salts found microplastic particles and non-synthetic micro-particles in multiple brands, with the smallest size fractions being most abundant and most difficult to identify. The study raises concerns about human dietary exposure to microplastics through a universally consumed food product.

2019 Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Screening method for differentiation of plastic and non-plastic microparticles contaminating store-bought rice

Researchers tested five brands of store-bought rice and found plastic microparticles in all of them regardless of packaging type, with concentrations as high as 12 particles per gram of rice. Using simple optical microscopy and infrared spectroscopy, the study shows that a low-cost screening method can quickly distinguish true microplastics from other particles like rice starch or cellulose, an important step toward routine food safety monitoring.

2024 Spectrochimica Acta Part A Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection and Characterization of Microplastics in Commercial Salts in India

Researchers detected and characterized microplastics in commercial salts available in India, including rock salt, sea salt, and table salt varieties. The study found widespread microplastic contamination across salt types, raising food safety concerns given the ubiquity of salt as a dietary staple.

2024 1 citations
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 contamination in selected staple consumer food products

Researchers in the Philippines found microplastics in common staple foods including sea salt, sugar, rice, and fish sauce, with sea salt having the highest contamination at about 471 particles per kilogram. PVC from processing equipment and PET from plastic packaging were the most common types found. This study provides direct evidence that people are consuming microplastics through everyday foods, raising questions about the safety of plastic materials used in food manufacturing and packaging.

2024 Journal of Food Science and Technology 16 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

Microplastic Contamination and Polymer Characteristics in Meatballs as Indicators of Food Safety in Kambu District, Kendari City, Indonesia

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in meatballs sold by street vendors in Kendari City, Indonesia, examining particle concentrations, shapes, and polymer types. The study found microplastics present across all samples, primarily as fibers and fragments, indicating that ready-to-eat street foods may represent a meaningful route of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2026 World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews
Article Tier 2

Influence of Micro and Nanoplastics in Modern Food Chain: an Inevitable Intervention

This review examines the growing presence of microplastics and nanoplastics throughout the modern food chain, summarizing known entry points, concentrations in food commodities, and potential health consequences of regular human dietary exposure.

2024 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Contamination and Polymer Characteristics in Meatballs as Indicators of Food Safety in Kambu District, Kendari City, Indonesia

Researchers analyzed meatball samples from street vendors in Kendari City, Indonesia, and found microplastic contamination in all ten samples tested. Concentrations ranged from 4.0 to 9.0 mg/kg, with fragment shapes and polyethylene as the dominant particle type and polymer. The findings suggest that plastic packaging and food processing equipment are likely sources of microplastic contamination in ready-to-eat street foods.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of the presence of insoluble particles and microplastics in sea salts in Brazil

Researchers analyzed sea salts from Brazilian markets for the presence of microplastics and other insoluble particles. The detection of microplastics in commercially sold sea salt raises consumer exposure concerns, as salt is used universally in cooking and food processing.

2019 Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (Universidade de São Paulo)
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination and risk assessment in salts from India And Sri Lanka

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in commonly available salts from India and Sri Lanka, including sea salt, rock salt, and refined table salt. Microplastics were detected across most salt varieties, indicating that this staple condiment is a dietary route of human microplastic exposure in South Asia.

2024 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Risk assessment of microplastic in commercial salt sold in Malaysia

Researchers conducted a risk assessment of microplastics in commercial table salt sold in Malaysia, finding that contaminated seawater used during sea salt production introduces microplastics into a widely consumed daily food ingredient with potential adverse health effects.

2023 UiTM Institutional Repositories (Universiti Teknologi MARA)