Want to avoid microplastics in food? We’ve found the eight most common foods that contain microplastics

People in the United States consume between what they estimate 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles every year. This could come from Items in our kitchens, Takeout containers Or even the food we eat. However, some foods are more likely to contain microplastics than others. To learn more about which foods we should be watching, how microplastics affect our health and how to avoid them, we consulted a family doctor and did our research.

---

Don’t miss any of our unbiased technical content and lab reviews. Add CNET As Google’s preferred source.

---

How many microplastics is too many?

“There is no officially defined ‘safe’ or ‘unsafe’ level for microplastic consumption. It makes sense to want your exposure to be as low as possible.” Dr. Joseph MercolaThe board-certified family medicine osteopath said in an email.

Microplastics can get into our food due to contamination where the food is grown, raised or processed. Mercola explained that the use of plastic mulch and plastic seed coatings in agriculture, and irrigation with polluted water, are among the different ways microplastics can end up in food. Plastic bottles, utensils, and containers are additional sources.

According to the current US Food and Drug Administration The evidence does not indicate Levels of microplastics in food pose a danger to us. However, you may still want to passively reduce the amount of microplastics you consume. These are the most common foods that contain microplastics, and measures you can take to reduce your plastic intake.

The top 8 foods in your diet that contain microplastics

1. Seafood

One of the most important ways microplastics end up in our food is through single-use plastics that break down and find their way into waterways and soil. When they reach the oceans, they end up in our seafood.

“The microplastics are then ingested by plankton, and fish and shellfish mistakenly believe they are food,” Mercola said. “The small particles accumulate in the meat…and then end up on our plates.”

A recent study published by Portland State University discovered a variety of microplastics in… 180 out of 182 from seafood tested Samples. Microfibers are the most common type of microplastic, but that’s not the only type that ends up in our oceans.

How to avoid it: Although you can’t control how many microplastics your fish eat before they reach your plate, you can reduce the amount of filter feeders and bottom feeders they choose to eat (such as oysters, mussels, oysters, catfish, halibut, flounder, and cod). These types of seafood are exposed to higher amounts of microplastics. Also choose seafood from a store that uses sustainable packaging, not plastic wrap.

2. Tea bags

Polypropylene is often used Make tea bagsEven if you choose paper tea bags, they still contain microplastics. The problem is that when the bags come into contact with hot water, microplastics may be released into your tea.

Researchers at the Autonomous University of Barcelona have discovered that tea bags made from polypropylene can release plastic Billions of moleculesNylon and cellulose tea bags can release them in the millions.

How to avoid it: You don’t have to stop drinking tea. Switch to loose leaf tea and invest in a Stainless steel diffuser To enjoy tea free of microplastics.

3. Rice

Rice is also a hotspot for microplastics. A study by the University of Queensland found that for every half a cup of rice there is 3 to 4 milligrams of plastic. If you use instant rice packets, this number is four times higher, at 13 milligrams.

How to avoid it: The study found that Wash your rice It can reduce plastic pollution by 20% to 40%, although it’s worth noting that the study used filtered water for rinsing.

4. Salt and sugar

When you garnish your dinner with a sprinkle of salt, you’re getting an unintended side of microplastics. It’s hard to get past salt. It’s in almost everything we eat and our bodies need a certain amount of sodium to maintain our fluid and electrolyte balance.

One study found this 90% of the 39 salt brands sampled All over the world they contain microplastics. This most likely results from environmental pollution and the production and packaging process, which includes plastic. Microplastics were too Found in sugar.

How to avoid it: To reduce your exposure to microplastics found in salt and sugar, you can buy them Packaged in glass Or cardboard.

5. Bottled water

Bottled water is one of the most well-known sources of micro- and nano-plastics. One study estimated that there are about 240,000 plastic particles In a liter of bottled water. Most plastic water bottles you buy at the store are made of polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, plastic, so it wasn’t surprising to see it represented. Plastic particles break down when bottles are squeezed or exposed to heat. PET plastic is not the only type used by researchers in the field of nanoplastics I found it In plastic water bottles.

How to avoid it: Drink tap water from a Stainless steel or glass container It can reduce the risk of ingesting plastic particles.

6. Honey

You may not expect your honey To house microplastics, but they are there, even if they are in a glass jar. Microplastic fibers can be traced back to bees and pollution. One study exploring whether microplastics ingested or carried by honeybees are incorporated into beehives found that bees can continue to Dispersion of microplastics Through honey.

How to avoid it: Purchasing honey from local beekeepers who often use more natural and sustainable harvesting methods may reduce the risk of microplastic contamination.

7. Fruits and vegetables

Vegetables and fruits are an essential part of a balanced diet. They can also contain microplastics. One of the studies sampled Fruits and vegetables Found it Apples were the most Contaminated fruits and carrots were the most contaminated vegetables. How does this happen?

“Plants have been shown to absorb micro- and nanoplastics from the soil through their root systems, contaminating the edible parts,” Mercola said.

Many grocery stores also wrap fruits and vegetables in plastic to keep them fresh. According to the US Food and Drug Administration, there is no Sufficient evidence To determine that microplastics in plastic food packaging are transferred into food. But Mercola suggests you avoid it as much as you can anyway.

How to avoid it: Wash your fruit well, peel it when possible, and choose local or organic produce.

8. Proteins

A recent study by researchers at the Ocean Conservancy found just that 88% plant and animal proteins Contains a certain level of microplastics. But highly processed proteins, such as plant-based alternatives, fish fingers or chicken nuggets, contain the most microplastics, suggesting that microplastic pollution comes in part from… Food processing. The study found that baked shrimp contained an average of 300 microplastics per serving. Plant nuggets contain 100 pieces per serving.

Food processing is not the only way microplastics can reach these protein sources. Microplastics are present Animal feed And in the environments where animals are raised. Plant substitutes can become contaminated through soil or irrigation.

How to avoid it: After reading this, you may be wondering what protein you should be eating. The truth is that more research is needed to find out the exact levels and their impact on our health. Our bodies need protein to function, so getting enough of it is important, regardless of your chosen source.

What do microplastics in food mean to you?

So, do all foods contain microplastics? I can’t say for sure. However, I can tell you that more research is needed to understand how eating foods containing microplastics affects us. However, although the long-term health effects are still under investigation, microplastics are something to be aware of and guard against if you can, Mercola explained.

“Ingested microplastics have been found to accumulate in the blood circulation and various organs, including the brain, where they can cause inflammation and tissue damage,” Mercola said.

Other possible side effects are hormonal imbalances caused by Endocrine disrupting chemicals Found in plastic. Microplastics can too Other absorption Environmental toxins and their introduction into the body.

There is no fixed safe level of microplastics and we cannot completely bypass them: they are everywhere and in everything. But it’s a good idea to reduce exposure as much as possible.

Expert tips for reducing your intake of microplastics

You can reduce by following this advice:

1. Be careful of the amount of shellfish you eat

Shellfish such as mussels, oysters and scallops contain higher levels of microplastics, so don’t overeat them.

2. Avoid food storage containers made of plastic

This is one of Mercola’s biggest suggestions because of the “plasticizing chemicals” found in plastic. BPA and phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals that can transfer from plastic to food. They are fat-soluble, so this happens more easily with fatty foods. Fatty foods are best stored in glass containers, but you can store dry foods in plastic containers if you need to.

3. Avoid foods wrapped in plastic

This may be easier said than done, but it is something to strive for in areas where you can switch.

4. Get rid of plastic kitchen utensils

From the spoons we use to stir sauces to the cutting boards we use to chop vegetables, if they’re plastic, you’re ingesting microplastic particles. A good rule of thumb is: anything plastic that comes into contact with your food should be replaced with ceramic, glass, stainless steel, or wood.

To help address the overall problem of microplastics, you can install a filter in your washing machine. If you can afford it, a special filter will catch the microfibers before they contaminate your water systems. the PlanetCare 2.0 microfiber filter Starts at $125.

We still have a lot to learn about microplastics and the long-term effects they have on our health when ingested. It may be hard to hear about its presence in many of the foods we eat, but that shouldn’t stop you from eating well. A Balanced diet of protein, fruits and vegetables will ensure your body has enough fuel to function and grow – microplastic or not.

Is there a water filter that removes microplastics?

While there is a wide range of Water filters in the market, Survival straw It is one of the few brands targeting microplastics in drinking water. The brand claims that its membrane microfilter removes 99.999% of microplastics as well as bacteria and parasites. If you’re looking for a water filter that removes microplastics, look for water filter pitchers and bottles that specifically mention microplastics or opt for a whole home water filtration system.