Plastic Particles on the Plate: Impact on Food Security and Human Health

Human exposure to microplastics through the food supply is inexorable. This chapter examines the journey of microplastics from the environment to our plates. Food chain contamination may arise from the organisms’ exposure (intrinsic) or from food contact materials (extrinsic). Microplastics can affect food production (food security) and potentially cause adverse effects on human health (food safety). Widespread contamination of foods leads to an estimated exposure up to 108 microplastics per capita per year, equivalent to ingesting the weight of 32.5 plastic bags annually. Not surprisingly, microplastics have already been detected in human tissues, though the consequences remain poorly understood. In summary, this chapter contributes to a better understanding of the impact of plastic particles on food security, consumer safety, and sustainability.