look news india
New Delhi, August 18 (HS). The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) on Sunday launched an innovative project in New Delhi to address the growing concern over microplastic contamination in food items.
Microplastic pollution is an emerging threat that needs urgent attention. The project – “Micro and nano-plastics as emerging food contaminants: Establishment of validated methodologies and understanding of prevalence in various food matrices” – was launched in March this year.
It was launched to develop and validate analytical methods for detection of micro and nano-plastics in various food products as well as to assess their prevalence and risk levels in India.
The primary objectives of the project include developing standard protocols for micro/nano-plastic analysis, conducting intra- and inter-laboratory comparisons, and generating critical data on the levels of microplastic exposure among consumers. The study is being implemented in collaboration with leading research institutes across the country, including CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (Lucknow), ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (Kochi) and Birla Institute of Technology and Science (Pilani).
Recently, a report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) highlighted the presence of microplastics in common food items such as sugar and salt. The report highlights the global prevalence of microplastics but also emphasises the need for more robust data to fully understand its implications for human health and safety, especially in the Indian context.
As the country's food safety regulator, FSSAI is committed to ensuring that Indian consumers have access to safe and healthy food. While global studies have highlighted the presence of microplastics in various foods, it is imperative to generate reliable data specific to India. This project will help understand the extent of microplastic contamination in Indian foods and guide the creation of effective regulation and safety standards to protect public health.
The findings of this project will not only inform regulatory actions but will also contribute to the global understanding of microplastic contamination, making Indian research an integral part of the global effort to tackle this environmental challenge.