(Micro)Plastic Foreign Bodies in Food and Feed: Notifications in the European Union

Abstract

Plastic particles, including microplastics, are increasingly common contaminants of the food chain, raising concerns over human health effects. The objective of this work was to contribute to a better understanding of their presence in food and feed based on notifications of plastic foreign bodies in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) of the European Union. Visible plastics accounted for 25 notifications per year from 2020 to 2023 (four years), becoming the third most common foreign body after glass and metal. Contamination is likely to originate during processing and packaging. Even though these results confirm the presence of plastics in the European food chain, notifications provide limited information and only visible particles may be reported. Regulations must establish active monitoring and limits for plastic particles in foods and feeds (e.g., in an amendment to Commission Regulation (EC) no. 1881/2006), including for smaller particle sizes (i.e., microplastics). However, the establishment of regulations is limited by knowledge gaps in analytical methods, foodstuff contamination, and toxicity. Research studies should prioritize knowledge gaps needed to support regulatory action and, ultimately, human health protection.