Land-based protein sources like chicken, beef, pork and tofu contain as many microplastics as fishes, study finds

Land-based protein sources like chicken, beef, pork and tofu contain as many microplastics as fishes, study finds

Microplastics have been found in nearly 90 per cent of sources of proteins, including meat and plant-based, according to a new study that serves as a startling reminder of how prolific plastic pollution has become.

While the presence of microplastics in commercial fish and shellfish has been known for long, there has been little research into terrestrial protein sources like beef and chicken that make up a large part of the Western diet.

A team of researchers studied samples from 16 different protein types destined for American consumers, including seafood, pork, beef, chicken, tofu, and three different plant-based meat alternatives. They found microplastic particles in 88 per cent of protein food samples tested.

  • @CoreidanEnglish
    25•1 year ago

    There is microplastics in everything. It’s in our clothes, our food, the air we breathe. Not a thing you can do to get away from it.

    • @Mr_Blott
      10•1 year ago

      Well that’s a defeatist attitude

      You can stop breathing

      • @CoreidanEnglish
        3•1 year ago

        You’re right I should be like you and just wish

        • Cosmic Cleric
          2•1 year ago

          There is microplastics in everything. It’s in our clothes, our food, the air we breathe. Not a thing you can do to get away from it.

          Well that’s a defeatist attitude

          You can stop breathing

          You’re right I should be like you and just wish

          There is a range of options available to us between “stop breathing” and “just wish”.

          Granted, none of them are easy options, but still, they are options.

    • @[email protected]
      2•1 year ago

      Natural fibers will have less microplastics than synthetics like polyester (literally plastic fibers). Eating a predominantly plant based diet (actual fruit and veg, not imitation meat) with little to no processed foods from the center aisles will mean ingesting fewer microplastics. Switching from bottled water to filtered will reduce the amount of microplastics you drink. Stop using tupperwares and saran wrap immediately and instead use glass containers whenever possible.

      There’s no way to get rid of them completely, but there are ways to mitigate your exposure.