Microplastics Found in 88% of Protein Foods, Including Meat and Plant-Based Alternatives

Study estimates average U.S. adult consumes over 11,000 microplastics per year, with potential health impacts still under investigation.

A new study by Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto found microplastics in 88% of protein samples tested, including meat, fish, tofu and plant-based alternatives.
Highly processed products contained the most microplastics per gram, but contamination did not differ between brands or store types.
Microplastic particles were discovered across all 16 sample types, with 44% of the microplastics found in the form of fibers and a third in the form of plastic fragments.
The study estimates that the mean U.S. adult exposure from consuming these proteins is over 11,000 microplastics per year, with the maximum exposure reaching up to 3.8 million microplastics per year.
The health impacts of microplastics are still being investigated, with some studies suggesting they could enter the bloodstream and organs, potentially increasing the risk of inflammation, neurological disorders, or even neurodegenerative diseases.