A recent study released by France’s food safety agency has revealed a surprising finding: drinks sold in glass bottles, including soft drinks, lemonade, iced tea, and beer, contain more microplastic particles than those in plastic bottles. The research, which aimed to assess the quantity of microplastics in various types of beverages and examine the impact of different containers, found an average of approximately 100 microplastic particles per litre in glass bottles. This figure is notably higher, by five to fifty times, than the levels detected in both plastic bottles and metal cans.
The investigation uncovered that the microplastics identified in the glass were similar in shape, colour, and polymer composition to the paint used on the caps sealing these bottles. Further analysis indicated that tiny, invisible scratches on the caps might have contributed to the release of microplastics, potentially due to friction during storage. Interestingly, while water—both flat and sparkling—had a relatively low microplastic concentration, ranging from 4.5 particles per litre in glass bottles to 1.6 in plastic, soft drinks and lemonade measured around 30 and 40 microplastics per litre, respectively. Beer exhibited a slightly higher concentration at approximately 60 microplastics per litre.
Despite these findings, the researchers stress that there is currently no direct evidence suggesting that the presence of microplastics in beverages poses a health risk to consumers. The food safety agency noted that, since no reference level exists for a potentially toxic amount of microplastics, it is challenging to determine whether these levels are harmful. However, they urged drink manufacturers to take steps to minimize microplastic contamination, suggesting that certain cleaning methods could effectively reduce particles released from bottle caps.
The study’s publication in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis has stirred attention within the scientific community, as it adds to the growing body of research aimed at understanding the implications of microplastics, which have been increasingly detected in various environments and human tissues. As this field of research expands, it may pave the way for clearer guidelines and practices aimed at reducing microplastic exposure across different consumer products.
-Raja Aditya
