Food Safety The government has taken a big step regarding this. Food regulator FSSAI has started a project to develop methods to detect adulteration of microplastics i.e. plastic particles in food products. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has taken this step to deal with the growing concern of microplastic adulteration in food items. Under this, microplastic pollution has been considered an emerging threat, which needs immediate attention.
The project started in March
According to an official statement, this project was started in March this year. The name of the project is “Micro-and Nano-Plastics as Emerging Food Contaminants : Establishing Validated Methodologies and Understanding the Prevalence in Different Food Matrices”. Its aim is to develop and validate analytical methods for detecting micro and nano plastics in various food products. Under the project, the risk level of micro and nano plastic adulteration in India will also be assessed.
These institutes are doing study together
The study is being conducted in collaboration with premier 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). In a recent report, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has highlighted the presence of microplastics in common food items such as sugar and salt. While the report underlines the global prevalence of microplastics, it also emphasises the need for more robust data, especially in the Indian context, to fully understand its implications for human health and safety.
Concerns raised in global studies
As the country’s food safety regulator, FSSAI is committed to providing safe and healthy food to Indian consumers. While global studies have highlighted the presence of microplastics in various foods, it is essential to generate reliable data specific to India. This project will help understand the extent of microplastics in Indian food and guide the creation of effective regulations 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 microplastics, making Indian research an integral part of the global effort to combat this environmental challenge.
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