New Delhi, India – In response to the growing global concern over microplastic contamination in food, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has launched an innovative project aimed at addressing this pressing issue. The initiative comes on the heels of a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report that highlighted the presence of microplastics in commonly consumed food items such as sugar and salt.
The newly launched project, titled ‘Micro-Plastics and Nano-Plastics as Emerging Food Contaminants: Establishing Validated Methodologies and Understanding the Prevalence in Different Food Matrices,’ is part of India’s proactive approach to understanding and combating microplastic contamination in food. The FSSAI’s project aims to develop standardized protocols for analyzing micro and nano-plastics, conduct inter-laboratory comparisons, and generate essential data on microplastic exposure levels among Indian consumers.
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A key focus of the project is to establish more robust data to fully comprehend the implications of the FAO’s warnings on human health and safety in India. According to a government press release, the findings will not only contribute to domestic food safety but also help restrict the extent of microplastic contamination in both imported and exported food products.
This initiative is expected to play a crucial role in the formulation of effective regulations and safety standards to protect public health in India. Moreover, the project’s outcomes will also contribute to the global understanding of microplastic contamination, positioning Indian research as a significant player in the international effort to address this environmental challenge.
“The findings will contribute to the global understanding of microplastic contamination, making Indian research an integral part of the global effort to combat this environmental challenge,” the FSSAI stated.
As microplastic contamination continues to pose a threat to food safety worldwide, India’s efforts in this area could serve as a model for other countries looking to tackle similar challenges.
