Background

The omnipresence of plastics and their decay products poses ever greater challenges to the economy, society and the entire ecosystem, to which the EU has responded by initiating the European strategy for plastics in the circular economy. Microplastics (MP), which are made up of very small plastic fragments with dimensions in the μm range, are a source of plastic entering the environment. According to the EU Commission, around 75,000 to 300,000 t of microplastics enter the environment in Europe every year. Microplastics are divided into primary and secondary MPs. Primary microplastics include plastic particles in the μm range, which are used as basic material for the production of various products in the cosmetics, hygiene, medical and textile industries. Secondary microplastics, on the other hand, arise from physical, biological and chemical degradation and decay of macroplastic parts and make up the majority of the occurring MP.

Objectives

The goal was to develop a valid analytical method for the unambiguous qualitative and quantitative detection of MP in food. While the first CORNET project, “microplastic@food,” examined simple foods such as water and clear beverages, “MICROPLEXFOOD” focused on complex foods. The challenge here lay in removing interfering organic matrices such as proteins, fats, or carbohydrates.

Based on the measurement results from reference materials and real food samples, potential sources of contamination (the environment, raw materials, filling lines, packaging) were identified, and preventive measures to avoid MP in food and beverages were proposed. In particular, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food and packaging industries that face challenges with microplastics gained a competitive advantage by participating in the projects.

Concept

In these projects, the four leading research institutions from Austria (OFI, LVA) and Germany (UBT and IPF) collaborated to develop a validated analytical method for the detection and identification of microplastics for the food and packaging industries. Innovative spectroscopic imaging techniques and advanced data processing methods were developed, enabling the collection of validated and reliable data (qualitative and quantitative) on the contamination of food and beverages with microplastics. Detailed case studies examined the sources of contamination in key food groups, including (i) water and beverages, (ii) milk and dairy products, (iii) meat and fish products, and (iv) other complex foods.

Using standardized sampling protocols (Standard Operating Procedures, SOPs), real food samples were collected; these were analysed using microspectroscopic methods, and the resulting data was evaluated using AI. At the same time, the ambient air, packaging and filling systems, and filtration systems were also monitored.