New research has shown that peeling plastic lids off meat, fruit, and vegetables may contaminate food with microscopic and nanoplastic particles, potentially affecting health.
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The study also found that microplastic particles can shed from glass bottles and jars with metal lids coated in plastic.
Regarding this, the study’s lead author, Lisa Zimmerman, said in a paper published Tuesday in the journal NPJ Science of Food that friction caused by repeatedly opening and closing plastic and glass container lids can release massive amounts of micro- and nanoplastic particles into beverages.
Zimmerman, who is the scientific communications officer at the nonprofit Food Packaging Forum in Switzerland, which researches chemicals in food-contact materials, explained: “Research shows that the number of microplastic particles increases with every bottle opening, so we can say that the use of food-contact materials is what leads to the release of micro- and nanoplastic particles.”
According to the study, researchers measured micro- and nanoplastic particles in food products and drinks such as juices, canned fish, rice, mineral water, tea bags, table salt, ready-made foods, and soft drinks.
Additionally, a separate investigation conducted by the Food Packaging Forum, published in September 2024, revealed that over 3,600 chemicals leak into consumer products during food manufacturing, processing, packaging, and storage, entering the human body.
While scientists have long been aware of potentially toxic chemicals leaching from plastics into food, David Andrews, acting chief scientist at the Environmental Working Group, said, “What is less obvious—and deeply concerning—is how important food packaging is as a source of exposure to plastic particles and what this means for our health.”
Andrews, who was not involved in the study, added, “This study should sound the alarm.”
