10 types of food with astonishing levels of microplastics
Microplastics are considered harmful substances associated with health problems such as cancer, DNA damage, and cell damage. Recently, anti plastic educator and businessman Beatrice shared ten foods containing high concentrations of microplastics and proposed healthy alternatives to help consumers reduce the risk of exposure to this harmful substance.
Microplastics refer to plastic particles smaller than five millimeters, even smaller than pencil erasers, widely present in food and beverages, especially those stored in plastic containers. Beatrice specifically pointed out that certain processed foods, packaged foods, and specific seafood and salts often contain high concentrations of microplastics. She suggests that people choose healthier and safer alternatives to reduce the impact of microplastics on the body.
Top 10 foods high in microplastics
Seafood has long been proven to be one of the main sources of microplastics. Beatrice stated that the amount of microplastics in the ocean doubles every six years, and these microplastics eventually enter seafood. Especially clams, mussels, crabs, and most fish are heavily affected by microplastics. Research has shown that people who consume large amounts of shellfish consume approximately 11000 microplastic particles annually. Although seafood cannot be completely avoided, Beatrice recommends reducing consumption and avoiding highly processed seafood products as much as possible.
Salt
Unprocessed sea salt often contains a large amount of microplastics, while refined salt from the United States is relatively safe. Due to the fact that sea salt is extracted from polluted oceans, unrefined sea salt contains a high amount of microplastics. In contrast, refined salt in the United States can effectively remove microplastics, making it a safer choice.
Processing dairy products
Research has shown that highly processed dairy products, such as milk powder and regular milk, typically contain more microplastics. Suggest choosing less processed dairy products, such as local organic milk and raw cheese. However, raw dairy products carry certain health risks and may contain pathogenic bacteria, so careful selection is necessary.
Baby food bagged paste
Due to the heating treatment inside the packaging of baby food bags, microplastics can seep into the paste. Parents are advised to avoid using this packaging form as much as possible and choose fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables.
Composite aluminum foil packaging for food
Similar to canned food, composite aluminum foil packaging (such as tuna, beans, or bean packs) releases microplastics during heating. Consumers are advised to choose dried beans or home cooked foods and reduce consumption of such packaged foods.
Nylon tea bag
Nylon mesh tea bags release a large amount of microplastics and nanoplastics in hot water. A study found that soaking a bag of nylon tea bags in water at 200 ° F releases approximately 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics. Suggest using loose tea leaves, paired with stainless steel filters, or using paper tea bags instead.
processed meat
Highly processed meat products, such as powdered shrimp, chicken chunks, and plant-based protein chunks, contain a significant amount of microplastics. It is recommended to choose less processed meat products as much as possible, such as fresh meat or plant-based foods.
Seaweed
Seaweed surfaces are prone to adsorbing microplastics, although traditional cleaning methods cannot effectively remove these microplastics. A study found that Chinese people consume more than 17000 microplastics particles every year by eating seaweed, accounting for about 13% of their annual intake of microplastics. Beatrice suggests reducing the consumption of seaweed.
Honey
The microplastic pollution in honey comes from pollen collected by bees. Research has shown that bees are prone to introducing plastic particles into honey when collecting pollen in polluted environments. Consumers are advised to choose honey from rural areas and avoid honey produced in urban areas.
Beer
Many beer brands, including American brands that use water from the Great Lakes, contain microplastics. It is recommended to choose beer in glass bottles, avoid canned beer as much as possible, especially large brands, and choose beer that has undergone more filtration.
Hazards to human health
Although microplastics have been found in human lungs, maternal and fetal placental tissues, human breast milk, and human blood, until recently, there has been little research on how these polymers affect human organs and functions.
A study conducted in March 2024 found that people with microplastics or nanoplastics in their neck arteries are twice as likely to suffer from heart disease, stroke, or die from any cause within the next three years as those without microplastics or nanoplastics.
Experts say that nanoplastics are the most concerning type of plastic pollution for human health. This is because these tiny particles can invade individual cells and tissues of major organs, potentially disrupting cellular processes and depositing endocrine disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol, phthalates, flame retardants, perfluorinated and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS), and heavy metals.
5 small steps to limit plastic consumption
1: Plastic water bottles – “We believe that disposable plastics should be banned as soon as possible – definitely before 2040- because we know that disposable plastics not only cause serious pollution problems and kill wildlife, but also affect human health.
2: Plastic containers for microwave ovens: “We advise people not to do this, even if the manufacturer claims it is’ microwave heatable plastic ‘, consumers should be aware that the chemicals used to manufacture this plastic may directly seep into food.
3: Kitchen utensils – “By the way, any plastic we use when cooking, regardless of color – whether it’s a plastic spatula or cookware, a flat bottomed pan coated with non stick chemicals (usually polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)), can potentially seep into food. In addition, be careful when storing food in plastic containers as plastic chemicals may seep into the food, especially if the food is fatty or oily, as plastic is fat soluble. So, give up plastic and switch to glass containers, non stick pots, and old-fashioned wooden tableware
4: Replacing toiletries – “Due to vague labels, it is often difficult to know what is contained in toiletries. In addition, plastic packaging used in the beauty and personal care markets can generate significant plastic pollution.
5: Avoid wearing polyester clothing: “All plastics are made from a mixture of petroleum and chemicals, even our textiles. Nylon and polyester are synthetic fibers that now make up almost 70% of our clothing. Nylon and polyester are both plastic materials, which means they will seep plastic microfibers into the air that you can inhale. They also help generate plastic household dust (especially easy to inhale when infants crawl).
Methods to reduce plastic
The pollution level found in bottled water further confirms the long-standing recommendation of experts to drink tap water from glass or stainless steel containers to reduce contact. She added that this suggestion also applies to other food and beverages packaged in plastic.
Try to avoid eating any food in plastic containers. Choose food served in glass, enamel or aluminum foil.
· Wear clothes made of natural fabrics and buy consumer products made of natural materials.
· Do not heat plastic containers in the microwave. Heat food on the stove or in glass containers.
· Eat more fresh food if you can and limit the purchase of processed and ultra-processed foods packaged in plastic.
