Scientists Issue Urgent Warning About Microplastics in Cheese

Cheese, a beloved staple in diets worldwide, is now under scrutiny after a groundbreaking study revealed high levels of microplastics in various dairy products. Conducted by researchers at University College Dublin and the University of Padova, the analysis reported that ripened cheeses are the most contaminated, containing 1,857 plastic particles per kilogram. This is approximately 45 times more than what's found in bottled water.

Even fresh cheeses and milk are not exempt, with 1,280 and 350 microplastic pieces per kilogram respectively. The study suggests these plastics, often entering during production and packaging stages, could originate from synthetic textiles used in filtering systems or machinery components.

While the long-term health implications of consuming microplastics remain uncertain, early studies imply potential harm. Consequently, the researchers emphasize the need for further investigation into the pathways of contamination within the dairy sector to safeguard consumers.

This research adds to a growing body of evidence pointing to the pervasive nature of microplastics across the food supply chain, previously identified in products like bottled beer, teabags, and even breast milk.