Fruits and Vegetables with Highest Microplastic Contamination Widely Consumed in Indonesia

Microplastics are no longer found only in the ocean, drinking water, or processed foods, but are also present in the fruits and vegetables consumed daily by the public.

Research published in Environmental Research in February 2024 shows that these tiny plastic particles can enter plant tissues through soil, water, as well as through food cultivation and distribution processes.

According to Environmental Research, researchers observed more than 12 commonly consumed proteins, including beef, breaded shrimp and other types of shrimp, chicken breast and nuggets, pork, seafood, and tofu. Additionally, researchers examined several plant-based meat alternatives, such as nuggets, plant-based crumbles similar to ground beef, and plant-based fish sticks.

From this, researchers found that almost 90% of the proteins studied contained microplastics. A study published in August 2020 in Environmental Science found approximately 52,050 to 233,000 plastic particles smaller than 10 micrometres in various types of fruits and vegetables.

Furthermore, it was discovered that apples and carrots are the most contaminated fruits and vegetables, with more than 100,000 microplastics per gram.

The smallest microplastic particles were found in carrots, while the largest plastic fragments were found in lettuce.

Another study conducted by researchers from the University of Catania, Italy, also found small plastic particles in fruits and vegetables such as carrots, lettuce, apples, and pears.

Apples have one of the highest microplastic counts among fruits, averaging 195,500 plastic particles per gram, while pears contain an average of approximately 189,500 plastic particles per gram.

Broccoli and carrots proved to be the most contaminated vegetables, with an average of more than 100,000 plastic particles per gram.

Two previously published studies found that microplastics penetrate the roots of lettuce and wheat plants, and nanoplastics are absorbed by plant roots. Fruits and vegetables can accumulate microplastics through absorption from contaminated water or soil.

“When we bite into an apple, we are very likely also consuming microplastics,” explained Sion Chan, a Greenpeace East Asia campaigner based in Hong Kong.