EFSA experts will review the latest evidence on microplastics, including how microplastics enter and affect the human body; how they are transferred into food; and the methods to assess related risks. They will also provide updated DIETARY EXPOSUREFor the purposes of risk assessment, measurement of the amount of a substance consumed by a person or animal in their diet that is intentionally added or unintentionally present (e.g. a nutrient, additive or pesticide) estimates based on new data from the literature.
EFSA’s scientific advice, which is expected to be published by the end of 2027, will help advance knowledge in a field marked by scientific UNCERTAINTYScientific concept used in risk assessment to describe all types of limitations in available knowledge at the time an assessment is conducted, with the agreed resources, that affect the probability of possible outcomes to the assessment.
It will provide the European Parliament with the latest knowledge on the matter and support risk managers in their future decisions on how to best protect consumers from EXPOSUREConcentration or amount of a particular substance that is taken in by an individual, population or ecosystem in a specific frequency over a certain amount of time to microplastics through food.
A growing interest over microplastics
According to EFSA’s Special Eurobarometer on Food Safety (2025), awareness of microplastics in food among EU citizens has risen to 63%, marking an eight-point increase compared to 2022.
In terms of consumer perception, 33% of respondents identify microplastics as one of their main food safety worries, making it a frequently cited issue across several Member States.
Advancing knowledge on microplastics
Over the past few years, EFSA has published a number of times on microplastics.
The most recent publication is a literature review on micro‑ and nanoplastics released from food contact materials. EFSA found that microplastics can be released through the use of food contact materials, though at much lower levels than some studies suggest. The report identifies data gaps and makes recommendations on future research needs.
In 2021 EFSA held its 25th Scientific Colloquium, bringing together experts to review micro- and nanoplastics in food. The event highlighted major knowledge gaps and stressed the need for harmonised methods and coordinated international research.
A scientific statement on micro‑ and nanoplastics in food (mainly seafood), in 2016, had also highlighted major knowledge gaps, and stressed the lack of standardised methods to assess health risks.
O artigo foi publicado originalmente em EFSA.
