Plastic is found not only in water and fish but also in cheese.
A study by researchers from the University of Padua (Italy) showed that microplastic particles are present in most dairy products. This was reported in the journal Science of Food.
What Laboratory Experiments Showed
The specialists analyzed 28 samples of milk and cheese and found PET, polyethylene, and polypropylene in 26 of them.
The highest concentrations of microplastics were found in aged varieties, such as cheddar and parmesan, reaching up to 1850 particles/kg. In comparison, fresh cheeses (mozzarella, ricotta, feta) contained about 1280 particles/kg, while milk had only 350 particles/L.
Plastic particles enter finished products not only through packaging. They can also "penetrate" through feed, milking equipment, or the work clothing of employees. Additionally, during prolonged pressing and aging, particles from equipment or the environment accumulate more actively in cheeses.
What Makes Microplastics in Food Dangerous
Scientists have not yet established how microplastics affect human health in the long term. According to recent studies, they may:
disrupt blood sugar levels;
cause chronic inflammation;
damage cells and the liver;
affect hormonal balance and gut microbiota.
How to Reduce the Adverse Effects of Microplastics
Reducing the amount of microplastics we ingest through food can be achieved by avoiding frequent use of bottled water, replacing plastic cutting boards with wooden or glass ones, and storing food in glass and other "sustainable" containers.
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