FDA Publishes Web Page on Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Food
On July 24, 2024, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a new web page, titled, Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Foods. The page provides information on what is known about the health effects of microplastics and nanoplastics in food, along with information on FDA’s efforts to monitor related research and to advance the science in this area, such as analyzing testing methodologies.
FDA’s new web page explains that “some evidence suggests microplastics and nanoplastics are entering the food supply, primarily through the environment” but “[t]here is not sufficient scientific evidence to show that microplastics and nanoplastics from plastic food packaging migrate into foods and beverages.” The Agency also emphasizes that “current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that levels of microplastics or nanoplastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health.”
FDA points out in the web page that the presence of environmentally derived microplastics and nanoplastics in food alone “does not indicate a risk and does not violate FDA regulations unless it creates a health concern.” FDA will continue to update the page as more research is conducted and has indicated that, if the Agency determines that microplastics and nanoplastics in food do adversely affect human health, regulatory action can be taken.
The web page includes drop-down menus that discuss health, scientific, and regulatory information surrounding microplastics and nanoplastics.