80% of meat and dairy products contain microplastics

Almost 80 percent of the meat and dairy products from farm animals tested by scientists contain microplastics, according to a new study by the University of Amsterdam. The possible cause could be the feed of cows and pigs: all twelve samples of feed pellets and shredded feed were found to contain plastic. No contamination was found in the fresh food. The study was commissioned by the Plastic Soup Foundation.  

Shocking figures

Seven of the eight beef samples tested were found to contain plastic particles, while five of the eight pork samples contained at least one type of plastic. Plastic was also found in 18 of the 25 milk samples tested.  

Maria Westerbos, director of Plastic Soup Foundation: "This study raises serious concerns about the contamination of our food chain with microplastics. It is clear that farmers are not responsible for this. It seems that - at least part of the - leftover batches from the food industry, including supermarkets, are processed into cattle feed with packaging and all. This is not only harmful to animal welfare, but probably also to ourselves. It is highly likely that almost every steak and hamburger contains small pieces of plastic."

View the full report 'Plastic Particles in Livestock Feed, Milk, Meat and Blood'
Plasticsoupfoundation.org