From Sea to Soil to Supper: The Microplastics Crisis in Our Food

Jul 6
3 min read

Microplastics—tiny synthetic particles less than 5 mm in size—are emerging as a serious threat to global food systems. Once considered marine debris, they’ve now infiltrated our seafood, soil, and even human bodies.

A peer‑reviewed study published in Frontiers in Toxicology by Portland State University and Oregon State University scientists found microplastics (or ‘anthropogenic particles’) in 180 of 182 seafood samples—a startling 99% contamination rate. These included species like Shrimp, Huss (Black Rockfish), Atlantic Salmon, and Herring, with Shrimp carrying the highest particle.

Why It Matters

Health implications The study detected mainly microfibres from textiles—over 80% of particles—which can cross biological barriers into organs such as the brain and placenta. Prior animal studies link nanoplastics to liver dysfunction and altered glucose metabolism.

Agricultural impact Soil-based microplastics are linked to a 4–14% decrease in photosynthesis rates in staple crops, threatening food production for an estimated 400 million people.

A Global Response Underway

Regulatory action

The EU banned intentionally added microplastics in 2023 and strengthened drinking water and packaging regulations. In the U.S., authorities are evaluating cumulative microplastic exposure, with some states pushing for stricter limits. Meanwhile, global efforts like the UN Global Plastics Treaty aim to curb plastic pollution via funding and coordination.

Innovation in materials and design

Companies such as Polymateria in the UK are creating biodegradable plastics that degrade without producing microplastic residue. Many food brands are adopting seaweed-based films, compostable bioplastics, or reusable container systems, while equipment manufacturers (e.g., JBT) redesign factory gear to minimise plastic shedding.

Enhanced detection and monitoring

Cutting-edge technologies like FTIR spectroscopy are being applied to trace minute microplastic contamination in food and packaging systems. NGO initiatives

NGOs such as Plastic Soup Foundation and Break Free From Plastic are campaigning for bans, raising awareness, and promoting microplastic capture technologies—like microfibre traps for laundry and filters for stormwater systems .

What Can Consumers Do?

Experts suggest simple lifestyle changes can reduce personal microplastic exposure. These include:

Switching from bottled to filtered tap water (potentially cutting intake by 95%);
Avoiding reheating food in plastic containers;
Reducing consumption of highly processed and pre-packaged foods;
Using natural fibre clothing and washing synthetics in bags that catch microfibres.

The Path Forward

“What we put out into the environment ends up back on our plates,” said researcher Elise Granek, summarising the study's urgency. Professor of Environmental Science and Management at Portland State University

While scientific understanding of health risks is still developing, the presence of microplastics in nearly all seafood and their potential to infiltrate human systems makes clear the need for rapid, coordinated action. Governments, industries, and consumers must now unite to stem plastic use, strengthen systems to capture microplastics at the source, and innovate toward alternative materials.