EU Assigns Efsa to Investigate Microplastics in Food and Related Health Risks

The European Food Safety Authority (Efsa) has been tasked by the European Parliament to undertake a scientific investigation into the presence of microplastics in food and assess their potential health impacts on humans. This assignment focuses on developing methods to accurately measure microplastics in food and understanding how these particles enter and affect the human body.

Salomon Sand, a toxicologist at the Swedish Food Agency (Livsmedelsverket), highlighted the urgency of this research, pointing out considerable gaps in current knowledge about microplastics and their effects. Efsa will also examine microplastics in air and water as part of its broader health risk evaluation.

The project, expected to provide a comprehensive scientific basis by the end of 2027, aims to support future regulatory decisions within the EU regarding microplastic pollution in food and environmental sources. This initiative marks a significant step toward addressing a novel environmental health challenge with implications for Sweden as an EU member state.