Individual Presentation: Microplastics in the Food Chain: Scientific Insights, Industry Impacts, and Mitigation Strategies

Microplastics (MPs) represent an emerging contaminant of global concern, increasingly detected throughout environmental systems, including water sources and agricultural soils, and in the human body. Consequently, their presence within the human food chain – from raw ingredients to processed and packaged goods – is gaining significant scientific and public attention. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the current scientific understanding of microplastic contamination in food and water systems. We will explore the primary sources and pathways, including environmental routes, processing contributions, and the role of food packaging materials. Key analytical techniques for MP detection and characterization will be discussed, along with the challenges in standardization. We will delve into the potential risks associated with MP ingestion, considering particle toxicity and associated chemical contaminants. Crucially, the presentation will focus on the implications for the food industry, examining how processing steps and packaging choices can influence MP levels. Finally, we will propose actionable recommendations and mitigation strategies tailored for food scientists, R&D teams, quality assurance professionals, and packaging specialists, alongside broader ways to engage, educate, act, and recommendations for consumer awareness.