You’ve probably heard about plastic in the ocean. You’ve maybe even ditched plastic straws or started bringing your own bags to the supermarket. But here’s what you weren’t expecting: you’re likely eating plastic—literally. And not just occasionally.
If you’ve clicked on this article wondering whether that bottle of water, that bag of popcorn, or even that salad from your local cafe might be doing more harm than good… you’re in the right place.
This isn’t a guilt trip. It’s not a vegan manifesto. It’s straight-up facts about the microplastic invasion happening quietly, inside your food.
You’re Not Just What You Eat—You’re What You Eat Ate
We’ve seen the documentaries: whales washing up full of plastic bags, seabirds feeding their chicks bottle caps. But what no one told you is that it’s not just wildlife in danger—it’s us too.
And it’s not just a fish problem.
Microplastics—tiny bits of plastic less than 5mm in size—are turning up in everything from salt to honey to your morning scrambled eggs. According to researchers at the University of Newcastle, the average person ingests up to 5 grams of plastic a week. That’s the size of a credit card.
Yes. You are eating a credit card’s worth of plastic. Weekly.
How Is That Even Possible?
Plastic waste breaks down into microscopic particles that contaminate soil, water, and air. Animals eat it. Plants absorb it. Water carries it. And we—humans with our shiny, plastic-wrapped lives—consume it all.
Some of it’s unavoidable. Some of it? You’ll find in your pantry.
Let’s talk about the top 10 foods silently flooding your brain with microplastics.
1. Bottled Water
Think you’re hydrating? Maybe. But studies by the World Health Organization found that 93% of bottled water samples contained microplastics.
Polymers like polypropylene (used in bottle caps) and nylon were common. Each bottle can contain hundreds or even thousands of microplastic particles.
Source: WHO Microplastics in Drinking Water (2019)
2. Shellfish (Especially Mussels & Oysters)
Mussels are filter feeders—meaning they suck in water and everything in it, including microplastics.
A study from the University of York found that an average portion of mussels can contain up to 90 microplastic particles.
And unlike fish, we eat shellfish whole—gut, stomach, plastic and all.
3. Sea Salt
Salt comes from evaporated seawater. That seawater? Full of plastic.
Multiple studies show that sea salt is consistently contaminated with microplastics, especially in Asia and Europe. Even Himalayan pink salt isn’t off the hook.
4. Canned Foods (Especially Tuna)
Canned tuna is a lunchtime go-to—but cans are often lined with plastic resin.
BPA, a chemical in can linings, breaks down and can leach into the food. And yep—BPA is a plastic.
Bonus worry: BPA is also a known endocrine disruptor.
5. Tea Bags (The Fancy Ones)
Not your nana’s paper tea bags—we’re talking about the silky plastic pyramid ones.
When steeped in boiling water, these release billions of plastic particles into your tea.
A study from the McGill University found over 11.6 billion microplastic and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles in a single cup.
6. Beer
Yes, even beer. Microplastics have been found in several commercial beer brands—likely due to water contamination.
Researchers from the State University of New York found microplastics in all 12 brands of beer they tested in the U.S.
Cheers to that?
7. Processed & Packaged Foods
Think cheese slices, snack bars, and ready meals.
Plastics from wrappers and manufacturing equipment often shed tiny particles during processing or from packaging degradation.
A 2022 study published in Environmental Pollution Journal found plastic fragments in a variety of store-bought packaged foods.
8. Fruits and Vegetables
Wait—what?! Yep. A 2020 study in Nature Sustainability found that plants can absorb microplastics through their roots.
Carrots, apples, and lettuce were among the most contaminated. That’s right—your clean eating isn’t as clean as you thought.
9. Rice
Especially pre-cooked or instant rice in microwavable pouches.
One Australian study found that cooking rice in plastic packaging can increase microplastic content by four times.
Cooking it traditionally—rinsing thoroughly and boiling in water—can reduce exposure significantly.
10. Milk (When Stored in Plastic Bottles)
Milk bottles—especially low-cost ones—are often made with polyethylene. Studies show that particles can migrate into the milk during storage, especially if the container is exposed to heat.
Add heat from a car ride or microwave and you’ve got yourself a plastic milkshake.
Should You Panic?
No. But you should care.
The long-term health effects of ingesting microplastics are still being studied, but early research links them to:
- Hormonal disruption
- Inflammation
- Reproductive issues
- Potential links to neurological problems
And while we can’t escape them entirely, we can minimize our intake.
How to Eat (Slightly) Less Plastic
- Ditch bottled water. Use a glass or stainless-steel bottle with a proper filter.
- Buy fresh, unpackaged food when possible.
- Steep loose-leaf tea or use paper tea bags.
- Avoid heating food in plastic containers (yes, even if it says microwave-safe).
- Wash fruits and veg well, and consider peeling when possible.
Final Thought
You’re not going to outrun microplastics. They’re in our air, water, food—and, yes, even in placentas.
But now you know where they hide.
And when it comes to protecting your body and brain from these invisible invaders, knowledge really is power.
So drink smarter. Eat cleaner. And maybe skip that fancy tea bag next time.
Sources:
