Papers

61,005 results
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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

Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of microplastics in different salts from Iran

Researchers analyzed microplastic concentrations in fifteen samples of crystallized, refined sea, unrefined sea, and rock salts from Iranian markets using scanning electron microscopy and micro-Raman spectroscopy, finding microplastic contamination across all salt types with concentrations varying by processing method.

2021 International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 5 citations
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

Mechanical Grinding of Spices in Grinders with Polymeric Burrs and Transfer of Microplastics to Food

Polish researchers investigated whether grinding spices in plastic-burred mills transfers microplastics to food, finding that polymer particles from grinder components can contaminate spices during mechanical processing.

2024 Health Problems of Civilization 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Investigating the Correlation of Microplastic Pollution Between Seawater and Marine Salt Using Micro-Raman Spectroscopy

Micro-Raman spectroscopy was used to investigate the correlation between microplastic contamination in seawater and marine salt from the same source waters, finding that the polymer profiles of microplastics in salt broadly reflect those in the seawater from which the salt was produced.

2021 Frontiers in Marine Science 18 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection and Characterisation of Microplastics in Food Grade Salts in India

Researchers analyzed 30 brands of food-grade salt available in India and found microplastics in all samples, with sea salt containing 13 to 27 particles per 100 grams and rock salt containing 8 to 29 particles per 100 grams. Particle sizes ranged from about 19 to 1,433 micrometers, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the most commonly identified polymer. The study suggests that salt is a routine dietary source of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2026 Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU
Article Tier 2

Detection of microplastic contamination in table salts in Padang City, Indonesia, and control strategies for choosing healthy salt

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in ten brands of table salt commonly consumed in Padang, Indonesia. The study found microplastic particles in all brands tested, ranging from 30 to 510 particles per kilogram, with fragments being the most common shape, suggesting that salt products represent a meaningful source of dietary microplastic exposure.

2023 International Journal of Environmental & Analytical Chemistry 10 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and quantification of common microplastics in table salts by a multi-technique-based analytical method

Researchers developed a multi-technique analytical method combining microscope-FTIR and pyrolysis-GC/MS to identify and quantify microplastics in table salts, providing 3D information on polymer type, morphology, and chemical composition of food-grade salt contaminants.

2022 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Contamination of Indian sea salts with microplastics and a potential prevention strategy

All eight brands of Indian sea salt tested were found to contain microplastics, with concentrations ranging widely across brands, and the study proposed using improved salt harvesting methods to reduce contamination. The findings add to global evidence of widespread microplastic contamination in commercially sold sea salt, with direct implications for human dietary exposure.

2018 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 175 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic contamination in commercial salt: An issue for their sampling and quantification

Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in commercial sea salt from three Italian salterns and found an average of approximately 1,653 microplastic particles per kilogram of salt. The study highlights important methodological considerations for sampling and quantification, noting that the physical characteristics and polymer types of microplastics varied across sampling locations.

2022 Food Chemistry 52 citations
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

The presence of microplastics in commercial salts from different countries

Researchers analyzed 17 commercial salt brands from eight countries and found microplastic particles in all but one, with concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 particles per kilogram. The most common plastics were polypropylene and polyethylene, appearing mainly as fragments. While the estimated human intake from salt alone appears minimal, the study confirms that microplastics have infiltrated yet another everyday food product.

2017 Scientific Reports 623 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

Microplastic contamination in Indonesian consumable salts

Researchers analyzed both traditionally produced and commercial branded sea salts from Indonesia and found microplastics in all samples tested. Traditionally produced salts contained the highest contamination levels, with up to 3,753 particles per kilogram, though branded salts also contained significant amounts. The study indicates that sea salt is a notable dietary source of microplastic exposure for consumers.

2024 Journal of Sea Research 8 citations
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

Analysis of the effect of salt processing on microplastic residues in crushed and washed sea salt

This study examined how standard sea salt processing — crushing and washing crude sea salt — affects the level of microplastic contamination. The processing removed between 56% and 98% of microplastic particles present in crude salt, reducing counts from around 256 particles per 10 g to as low as 6 particles per 10 g. The findings are reassuring for food safety but confirm that microplastics from marine pollution do enter the salt production chain and that processing steps matter for final contamination levels.

2023 Journal of Sea Research 8 citations
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

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)
Article Tier 2

High levels of microplastics in commercial salt and industrial salterns in Sri Lanka

All commercial salt products tested in Sri Lanka were contaminated with microplastics, with concentrations ranging from 11 to 193 items/kg in commercial salts and up to 253 items/kg in lab-grade NaCl, and significant variation between three analyzed saltern sites.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 77 citations
Article Tier 2

An investigation on the prevalence of microplastic in commercial and open pan salts obtained from Cox's Bazar and Maheshkhali region of Bay of Bengal (Bangladesh)

Researchers found microplastics in all commercial and open pan salt samples from the Cox's Bazar and Maheshkhali regions of Bangladesh, identifying polyethylene, PET, and other polymers through FTIR and Raman spectroscopy analysis.

2023 Food Science & Nutrition 14 citations
Article Tier 2

The Existence, Characteristics, Sources, and Impact of Microplastics in Salt Products in Indonesia

This systematic literature review described the presence, characteristics, sources, and health impacts of microplastics in Indonesian salt products, finding consistent contamination across regions with PP, PE, and PA as dominant polymer types. The main contamination sources were polluted seawater used in salt production and unmanaged plastic waste near coastal evaporation ponds.

2025 Proceeding of International Seminar and Workshop on Public Health Action
Review Tier 2

Variation and Uncertainty of Microplastics in Commercial Table Salts: Critical Review and Validation

A critical review of microplastic data from commercial table salts across many studies found high variability driven by inconsistent analytical methods, and validation experiments revealed that size cutoffs and detection methods significantly affect reported contamination levels.

2020 Journal of Hazardous Materials 72 citations
Article Tier 2

Contamination of table salts from Turkey with microplastics Part A Chemistry, analysis, control, exposure & risk assessment

This study analyzed 16 brands of table salt from Turkish markets and found microplastics in most samples, with concentration varying by salt type and source. The findings add to growing global evidence that microplastics have entered the human food chain through commercial sea and lake salt.

2018 Food Additives and Contaminants Part A-chemistry Analysis Control Exposure & Risk Assessment