Researchers from the Interdisciplinary Institute for Food Security (IIFS), Bangladesh Agricultural University, have reported growing evidence of microplastic contamination in meat and dairy products, highlighting an emerging challenge for food safety, public health, and sustainable food systems.

The comprehensive review, titled “From Farm to Fork: Microplastic Contamination in the Meat and Dairy Supply Chain,” was led by Saydur Rahman and co-authors. The study synthesizes global research documenting the presence of microplastics in livestock tissues, poultry organs, processed meat products, raw milk, and commercial dairy items, including cheese, yogurt, and milk powder.

The findings show that contamination occurs at multiple stages of the food supply chain, beginning with livestock exposure to microplastics through contaminated feed, water, soil, and air. Additional contamination can occur during slaughtering, milking, processing, packaging, storage, and handling, particularly due to extensive contact with plastic equipment and packaging materials.

Reported microplastic concentrations range from a few particles per gram in raw meat to tens of thousands of particles per kilogram in processed meat products, while dairy products such as cheese and milk powder have shown notably high contamination levels in several studies. Commonly detected polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PET, nylon, and regenerated cellulose, primarily in the form of fibers and fragments.

Emerging toxicological evidence suggests that dietary exposure to microplastics may contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, immune modulation, and alterations to the gut microbiome, although long-term human health impacts remain under investigation. Children and high consumers of processed meat and dairy products may face greater exposure risks due to body-weight-adjusted intake.

The authors emphasize the urgent need for standardized analytical methods, improved waste and plastic management, safer processing and packaging practices, and stronger regulatory oversight. The study also calls for increased research in low- and middle-income countries and the adoption of farm-to-fork mitigation strategies to reduce microplastic entry into animal-derived foods.

This work underscores the close link between environmental plastic pollution and food safety and highlights the importance of coordinated action to protect consumers and ensure sustainable animal-based food production.

Authors:
Saydur Rahman* and co-authors
Interdisciplinary Institute for Food Security (IIFS)
Bangladesh Agricultural University
(*Corresponding author)

Publish Date :  08 Feb, 2026

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