FSSAI launches project to tackle microplastic contamination

BUSINESS: Food regulator FSSAI has launched a project to develop methods for assessing and identifying microplastic contamination in food products. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched an innovative project to tackle the growing concern of microplastic contamination in food, identifying microplastic contamination as an emerging threat that requires immediate attention. The project – Contaminants: Establishing validated methods and understanding prevalence in various food matrices – was launched in March this year. It aims to develop and validate analytical methods for detecting micro and nano-plastics in various food products, as well as assess their prevalence and risk levels in India.

“The primary objectives of the project include developing standard protocols for micro/nano-plastic analysis, conducting intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons, and generating critical data on the level of microplastic exposure among consumers,” FSSAI said. The study is being implemented in collaboration with leading research institutes across the country, including CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (Lucknow), ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (Kochi) and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (Pilani). The report highlights the presence of microplastics in common food items such as sugar and salt. “While the report underlines the global prevalence of microplastics, it also emphasises the need for more robust data to fully understand the implications for human health and safety, especially in the Indian context,” the regulator said. FSSAI said it is committed to ensuring that Indian consumers have access to safe and healthy food. While global studies have highlighted the presence of microplastics in various foods, FSSAI said it is imperative to generate reliable data specific to India. “This project will help understand the extent of microplastic contamination in Indian foods and guide the formulation of effective regulations and safety standards to protect public health,” the regulator said. He said the findings of this project will not only provide information for regulatory action, but will also contribute to the global understanding of microplastic contamination.