FSSAI Addresses Microplastic Contamination in Food

The FSSAI has launched an initiative titled “Micro-and Nano-Plastics as Emerging Food Contaminants” to develop standardised methods for detecting micro and nano-plastics in Indian food products, assessing their prevalence and potential consumer risks.

Background

• Need for Indian Specific Data: The growing concern over microplastic contamination, highlighted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO’s) report identifying microplastics in common food items like sugar and salt, underscores the urgent need for India-specific data to better understand the implications for human health.
• Microplastic pollution is becoming a major issue for human health
• Recent Initiative of FSSAI: FSSAI collaborated with various research organisations to create standardised protocols for analysing micro and nano-plastics, conduct intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons, and generate crucial data on microplastic exposure among Indian consumers.
• Research Organisations include:
  • CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (Lucknow)
  • ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (Kochi)
  • Birla Institute of Technology and Science (Pilani)

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Microplastics

• About: Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that measure less than 5 millimetres in size. 
  • They can originate from larger plastic debris that breaks down into smaller fragments or be manufactured intentionally for use in products like cosmetics, toothpaste, and industrial abrasives. 
  • Microplastics are found in various environments, including oceans, rivers, and soils, and can enter the food chain, leading to potential risks for human and environmental health. 
  • Their small size allows them to be ingested by marine life and potentially accumulate in the food we eat, raising concerns about their impact on health.
• Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification of Microplastics
  • Bioaccumulation: Bio-accumulation refers to the gradual buildup of substances, such as heavy metals, pesticides, or persistent organic pollutants (POPs), in an organism’s tissues over time. . 
  • Biomagnification: Biomagnification refers to the increasing concentration of microplastics (and associated toxins) as they move up the food chain. 
    • This process can have far-reaching effects, potentially impacting top predators, including humans, who consume seafood or other animals affected by microplastic contamination.

Manner of Microplastics impacting the Food Chain

Microplastics impact the food chain through several pathways, leading to potential risks for both wildlife and humans. They affect the food chain in the following ways:

• Ingestion by Marine and Terrestrial Organisms
  • Primary Producers: Microplastics can be ingested by small organisms like plankton, which are at the base of the food chain. These particles can be mistaken for food, leading to ingestion by these organisms.
  • Higher Trophic Levels: As larger animals, such as fish, birds, and mammals, consume smaller organisms, microplastics are transferred up the food chain. This process is known as bioaccumulation, where microplastics accumulate in the bodies of organisms over time.
• Biomagnification
  • Concentration Increase: As microplastics move up the food chain, their concentration can increase in the bodies of predators. This phenomenon is called biomagnification. For example, a small fish might consume microplastic-laden plankton, and a larger fish eats many small fish, leading to higher concentrations of microplastics in the larger fish.
  • Top Predators: Organisms at the top of the food chain, including humans, may be exposed to higher levels of microplastics due to biomagnification. 
• Toxic Chemical Transfer
  • Chemical Pollutants: Microplastics can absorb toxic chemicals from the environment, such as pesticides and heavy metals. When organisms ingest microplastics, these chemicals can enter their bodies and potentially disrupt biological functions.
  • Endocrine Disruption: Some chemicals associated with microplastics, such as bisphenol A (BPA), are known to interfere with hormone systems, leading to reproductive and developmental issues in animals.
• Disruption of Food Webs
  • Altered Feeding Behaviours: The presence of microplastics can interfere with the natural feeding behaviours of organisms, potentially reducing their nutritional intake and affecting growth and reproduction.
  • Impact on Biodiversity: Over time, the accumulation of microplastics in the food chain can disrupt ecosystems, leading to changes in species composition and biodiversity. This disruption can have cascading effects on entire ecosystems.
• Human Consumption
  • Seafood Contamination: Humans who consume seafood, such as fish and shellfish, may ingest microplastics. This has raised concerns about the long-term health effects of microplastic exposure, including potential impacts on the digestive system, immune response, and overall health.

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Regulations in India Related to Microplastics

• Ban on Single-Use Plastics: India has implemented a ban on various single-use plastic items to reduce plastic pollution.
• India Plastics Pact: A collaborative initiative aimed at creating a circular economy for plastics in India, reducing plastic waste and pollution.
• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016: Established a comprehensive framework for managing plastic waste in India, including the extended producer responsibility (EPR) concept.
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2018: Strengthened the 2016 rules, with stricter provisions for plastic waste management, including phasing out certain types of plastics.
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024: Recent amendments to further tighten regulations on plastic waste management, with enhanced focus on reducing microplastic pollution.

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