Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that develop from commercial product development and the breakdown of larger plastics. The widespread use of plastics has led to the presence of microplastics in daily food items. A recent study titled "Microplastics in Salt and Sugar" highlighted an alarming concern that "all Indian salt and sugar brands, whether big or small, packaged or unpackaged, contain microplastics," reported PTI. To address the rising concern for microplastic pollution in food, particularly in India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched a new project to assess microplastic contamination in food products and develop methods for its detection, reported PTI.
According to an official statement, the project – Micro-and Nano-Plastics as Emerging Food Contaminants: Establishing Validated Methodologies and Understanding the Prevalence in Different Food Matrices – was started in March this year.
Also Read: Celebrity Nutritionist Asks Swiggy And Zomato To Stop Using Plastic Containers, Zomato Responds
Finding Microplastics In Indian Food Products
This project aims to develop and validate analytical methods for detecting micro and nano-plastics in various food products, as well as assess their prevalence and exposure levels in India. According to FSSAI, the primary objectives of the project include:
- Developing standard protocols for micro/nano-plastic analysis.
- Conducting intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons.
- Generating critical data on microplastic exposure levels among consumers.
This study is being implemented in collaboration with the CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (Lucknow), ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (Kochi), and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (Pilani).
Finding Data On Microplastic Contamination In Indian Food
FSSAI said it is committed to ensuring that Indian consumers have access to safe and healthy food. While global studies have highlighted the presence of microplastics in various foods, FSSAI said it is imperative to generate reliable data specific to India. "This project will help understand the extent of microplastic contamination in Indian food and guide the formulation of effective regulations and safety standards to protect public health," the regulator said, reported PTI.
Also Read: Can Boiling Water Make It Safer? Study Shows It's Effective Against Microplastics
FSSAI added that the findings from this project will not only inform the regulatory actions but also contribute to the global understanding of microplastic contamination.
Featured Video Of The Day
Watch: Tusshar Kapoor's Birthday Was "A Tale Of Two Cakes And One Pizza" Officials Suspend Licenses Of Two Ginger-Garlic Paste Manufacturing Units In Hyderabad Food Critic Keith Lee's Video Leads To Closure Of Popular Sushi Bar In US Russia's Firing Of ICBM On Ukraine Is Weapon's 1st Combat Use In History Meet 69-Year-Old St Stephen's Alumnus Who Posed As Ex IPS To Con Officials 2 More Exit Polls Predict Landslide For NDA In Maharashtra Explained: How Australia's Social Media Ban For Under 16s Will Be Imposed Rowoon To Return With New K-Drama The Murky Stream On Disney+ "Will Make Highway Of Bihar Like That Of US In 4 Years": Nitin Gadkari Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.