INDIA —The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated a project to address the growing issue of microplastic contamination in food.

This initiative, titled “Micro-and Nano-Plastics as Emerging Food Contaminants: Establishing Validated Methodologies and Understanding the Prevalence in Different Food Matrices,” was officially launched in New Delhi following its inception in March 2024.

Recognizing microplastic pollution as a critical and emerging threat, FSSAI’s project aims to develop and validate advanced analytical methods to detect micro and nano-plastics in various food products.

By focusing on the prevalence of these contaminants, the initiative seeks to assess the exposure levels of Indian consumers to microplastics, a pressing concern in the context of global environmental challenges.

The primary objectives of the project include the development of standard protocols for micro/nano-plastic analysis, conducting intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons, and generating crucial data on consumer exposure levels.

FSSAI has partnered with leading research institutions across India, including the CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (Lucknow), ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (Kochi), and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (Pilani), to implement this study.

Global context and national implications

A recent report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlighted the presence of microplastics in commonly consumed items such as sugar and salt, underscoring the global prevalence of these contaminants.

However, while global studies provide a broad perspective, there is a critical need for region-specific data to fully understand the implications for human health, particularly in India.

As the country’s primary food safety regulator, FSSAI is committed to ensuring that Indian consumers have access to safe and healthy food.

The project’s findings will contribute to the formulation of effective regulations and safety standards in India, ensuring that food safety keeps pace with emerging environmental threats.

The data generated from this project will not only guide domestic regulatory actions but also contribute to the global understanding of microplastic contamination in food.

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