Microplastics are the hidden ingredient you never asked for, yet they’re making their way to infiltrate your food. These are the tiny plastic particles that fill our food supply. While you’re out here making healthy choices, these microplastics go in your daily salad mix, and you unknowingly consume them. Recent studies have discovered that groceries are loaded with plastics that we can’t see, and we’re bringing you 14 foods that are secretly filled with them.
13. Fruits and Vegetables
Even the healthiest foods on your plate aren’t immune to microplastic contamination. Fruits and vegetables can absorb microplastics from their roots that came contaminated with soil and water. Apples and carrots have been found to be among the most contaminated, while lettuce seems to have the lowest levels. The plastic particles can travel up the plant’s vascular system, ending up in the parts we eat.
12. Bottled Water
Convenience comes in the form of microplastics. A 2024 study proved that a single liter of bottled water is filled with an average of 240,000 microplastics. Your water can become contaminated through the bottle itself, as well as the cap and bottling process. The simple act of opening and closing the bottle can release its particles. Leaving them in a hot car also breaks down these plastics, which leads to higher levels of contamination.
11. Tea Bags
Tea bags, especially pyramid-shaped ones, are made of plastic. When you steep them in hot water, they can release billions of microplastic and nanoplastic particles into your brew. It was found that a single plastic tea bag can contain around 11.6 billion microplastics and 3.1 billion nanoplastics in a single cup. These particles seem invincible, but they’re there is just tiny particles.
10. Honey
You might assume that honey in a glass jar is protected, as it’s naturally made by bees. However, plastic fibers often originate from the bees themselves. As bees search for food, they can pick up plastic particles from the environment, which then make their way into the honey. One study has found microplastics in honey from all over the world, with monofloral honey showing significantly higher concentrations. We have pollution to thank for that!
9. Table Salt
Many studies from around the globe have confirmed the widespread presence of microplastics in table salt. Surprisingly, microplastics show up regardless of the salt’s origin. The contamination often happens during the salt production process, but it can also stem from the plastic packaging it’s stored in. It was found that a variety of plastic polymers in salt, with fibers and fragments being the most common forms.
8. Processed Foods
It’s not surprising that processed foods are filled with microplastics, as they often come in plastic packaging. One recent study found that 75% of meat samples of any type contained detectable amounts of at least one type of plastic. The plastic can come from the feed pellets given to the animals, or it could be from the plastic equipment used in processing. Remember, the more processed a food is, the more likely it is to have come into contact with plastic at multiple stages.
7. Canned Foods
If you think microplastics can no longer fill your canned goods, think again. Many are lined with a plastic coating to prevent the food from reacting with the metal. With this, lining can leach microplastics and chemicals like BPA into the food. A 2024 Consumer Reports study found significant levels of phthalates in canned foods, with some popular brands of chili and beans containing surprisingly high amounts. The longer the food sits in the can, the more time there is for these chemicals to fill the food inside.
6. Seafood
A recent study revealed that 99% of seafood samples tested were contaminated with microplastics. Shrimp, in particular, was found to have the highest levels of contamination. The plastic fibers often come from synthetic clothing and textiles that pollute our oceans. Fish and shellfish consume these particles, which then accumulate in their bodies. When we eat seafood, we’re also eating the plastic they’ve ingested, all thanks to ocean pollution.
5. Meat
A 2022 pilot study found that beef products are increasingly contaminated with microplastics, while another study found that 75% of meat samples of any type contained detectable amounts of at least one type of plastic. It’s not surprising, as the contamination can come from a variety of sources, including the plastic in the feed pellets given to the animals, plastic equipment used in processing, and its packaging.
4. Yogurt
If you think that you’re eating a healthy snack, think again. A 2024 Consumer Reports study found levels of phthalates in yogurt, with some popular brands of low-fat yogurt containing high amounts. The contamination may come from the plastic containers it’s stored in, as well as the plastic equipment used in the manufacturing process. The study found that even yogurt in plastic tubs can be contaminated, as the plastic can leach into the yogurt over time.
3. Milk
That glass of milk you drink for strong bones might be delivering a dose of plastic you didn’t bargain for. Again, a 2024 Consumer Reports study found levels of phthalates in milk. Surprisingly, some organic whole milk brands contain high amounts. The manufacturing process, like milking and bottling, as well as its plastic cartons, may contribute.
2. Rice
Did you know that for every 100 grams (about half a cup) of rice you eat, you could be consuming up to 4 milligrams of plastic? The contamination can happen at various stages, from the plastic bags that are stored in to the polluted water it’s grown in. Also, it was found that instant rice contains four times more plastic than regular rice, likely due to the additional processing it undergoes.
1. Baby Food
Probably the most shocking and concerning finding is the presence of microplastics in baby food. A 2024 Consumer Reports study found phthalates in several popular brands of baby food, including turkey dinner, infant formula, and fruit pouches. The contamination can come from the plastic packaging, the processing equipment, and even the ingredients themselves. The developing bodies of infants are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of these chemicals, which can disrupt hormones and lead to long-term health problems.