Our Food under Scrutiny: Plastic on your Plate?
The Free University of Amsterdam conducted an alarming study called “Farm Animals”. This study examined the presence of microplastics in the feed, meat, blood, and milk of farm animals.
The results were striking:
👉 Microplastics were found in nearly 80% of the tested meat and dairy products.
👉 Plastic particles were found in 18 of the 25 milk samples.
Where Does this Come from?
The suspected source lies in animal feed:
- Microplastics were found in all examined dry concentrate feed (such as pellets and chips).
- Fresh feed (such as grass and vegetables), on the other hand, contained no microplastics.
Researchers suspect that waste streams from supermarkets and food companies — sometimes including plastic packaging — are processed into animal feed.
Consequences for Animals and Humans
The presence of microplastics can not only affect animal welfare, but also have consequences for human health. This creates the possibility that a hamburger or glass of milk contains minuscule pieces of plastic.