As a consumer of king cakes during Mardi Gras season, I recently realized the ubiquity of plastic’s presence in food. A small plastic baby hidden inside each sweet treat sparked my concern about microplastics’ impact on our health.
However, after checking myself, I acknowledged that the leaching amount from plastic into the cake is relatively small. As someone who writes about toxic chemicals, I’ve learned to take a holistic approach and consider microplastics in everyday life.
Here are three key strategies to reduce exposure:
1. **Acceptance of ubiquity**: Microplastics are present in various food sources, including seafood, water, produce, and processed foods. Reducing them entirely is not feasible, but prioritizing safer alternatives can make a difference.
2. **Avoid heating plastic**: Plastic contains thousands of hazardous chemicals that leach at higher rates when heated or exposed to hot/acidic substances. Limiting exposure by using alternative utensils and cookware can help minimize microplastic intake.
3. **Reduce plastic, even if you can’t avoid it**: In some cases, no plastic-free alternatives are available. Instead of avoiding products entirely, make adjustments that reduce exposure, such as switching to blenders with glass jars or researching safer cleaning products.
By implementing these strategies, individuals can take meaningful steps towards reducing microplastic exposure. I’ll share more tips and guidance in the Guardian’s new seven-week newsletter course on detoxing your kitchen, created in collaboration with Consumer Reports.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/mar/01/how-to-avoid-microplastics