A new study conducted by Toxics Link, an environmental research organization, has found alarming levels of microplastics in all types of salt and sugar brands sold in India. The study, titled “Microplastics in Salt and Sugar,” was released on Tuesday and underscores significant health concerns regarding widely consumed food products.
Researchers tested a range of salt types—including table salt, rock salt, sea salt, and local raw salt—as well as various sugar forms. The samples, collected from both online and local markets, revealed that every tested product contained microplastics. The study found microplastics in both branded and unbranded, packaged and unpackaged products.
Microplastics were identified in various forms, such as fibres, pellets, films, and fragments, with sizes ranging from 0.1 mm to 5 mm. Iodised salt had the highest levels of microplastics, primarily consisting of multi-coloured thin fibres and films. Conversely, organic rock salt had the lowest concentration of these pollutants. The report detailed that microplastic concentration in salt varied from 6.71 to 89.15 pieces per kilogram of dry weight, with iodised salt showing the highest levels. In sugar, concentrations ranged from 11.85 to 68.25 pieces per kilogram, with non-organic sugar containing the most microplastics.
The presence of microplastics in common food items is a growing global issue. These tiny particles can enter the human body through ingestion, leading to potential health risks. Recent studies have detected microplastics in various human organs, including the lungs and heart, and even in breast milk and unborn babies. This study highlights the urgent need for measures to address plastic pollution and ensure food safety.