Think you aren't eating microplastics? Think again. The reality is that we're effectively eating, drinking and breathing plastic every day. Recent studies suggest these particles have infiltrated nearly every major organ system, raising the stakes for anyone trying to cut plastic out of their kitchen. In 2026, the goal isn't just to "be aware" -- it's to reduce the passive accumulation of polymers in your own body.
To find out which foods are most likely to contain microplastics, and what you can do to limit your exposure, we consulted a doctor.
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How many microplastics are considered unsafe?
"There is no officially established 'safe' or 'unsafe' level of microplastic intake. It makes sense to want your exposure to be as low as possible," Dr. Joseph Mercola, a board-certified family medicine osteopathic physician, said in an email.
Microplastics can enter our food because of contamination where the food was grown, raised or processed. Mercola explained that using plastic mulch and plastic seed coatings in agriculture, and irrigation with contaminated water, are among the various ways microplastics can end up in food. Plastic packaging, utensils and containers are additional sources.
According to the US Food and Drug Administration, current evidence doesn't suggest that the levels of microplastics in food are a risk to us. However, you still might want to minimize how much microplastics you passively consume. These are the most common foods that contain microplastics, and the measures you can adopt to reduce your plastic intake.
The top 8 foods in your diet that may contain microplastics
1. Seafood
One of the most significant ways plastic particles end up in our food is through single-use plastics that break down and find their way into waterways and soil. When they reach the oceans, they end up in our seafood.
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