Microplastics: an emerging threat to food security and human health

De-la-Torre, Gabriel Enrique

doi:10.1007/s13197-019-04138-1

Review Article
Published: 19 October 2019

Microplastics: an emerging threat to food security and human health

Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-0268-2784¹

Journal of Food Science and Technology volume 57, pages 1601–1608 (2020)Cite this article

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Abstract

Microplastic presence in seafood and foodstuff have been documented globally in recent studies. Consequently, human exposure to microplastics through the ingestion of contaminated food is inevitable and pose a risk to food security and human health. In this review, microplastics and related xenobiotics are defined, global evidence of microplastic pollution in seafood is reviewed, the impacts to commercial marine species and food security are discussed, and the current knowledge of its direct effects on human health is reviewed. In addition, limited information regarding food security and scientific gaps are identified. Although microplastics in the marine environment and its effects on marine organisms have been well documented, more research is needed to completely understand the implications of microplastics over food security and human health. Further research must focus on monitoring and eliminating microplastics along the food supply chain and determining the extent to which food security is affected by microplastic pollution.

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Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre

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De-la-Torre, G.E. Microplastics: an emerging threat to food security and human health. J Food Sci Technol 57, 1601–1608 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-019-04138-1

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Revised: 05 September 2019
Accepted: 16 October 2019
Published: 19 October 2019
Issue Date: May 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-019-04138-1

Keywords

Microplastic
Food security
Human health
Seafood
Food contamination