New Delhi: A study published on Tuesday has revealed that all Indian salt and sugar brands, whether large or small, packaged or unpackaged, contain microplastics.
The research, titled “Microplastics in Salt and Sugar,” was conducted by the environmental group Toxics Link. It examined 10 types of salt—including table salt, rock salt, sea salt, and local raw salt—as well as five types of sugar, all purchased from online and local markets.
The study detected microplastics in every salt and sugar sample tested, appearing in various forms such as fibres, pellets, films, and fragments, with sizes ranging from 0.1 mm to 5 mm.
Iodised salt had the highest concentration of microplastics, mostly in the form of multi-coloured thin fibres and films.
Ravi Agarwal, the founder-director of Toxics Link, stated, “Our study aims to add to the scientific database on microplastics, so the global plastic treaty can address this issue more effectively.”
He also expressed hopes that the findings would prompt policy action and encourage further research into technological solutions to reduce exposure to microplastics.
Toxics Link associate director Satish Sinha added, “The discovery of significant amounts of microplastics in all salt and sugar samples is alarming and underscores the need for urgent research into the long-term health effects of microplastics on humans.”
The report detailed that the concentration of microplastics in salt samples ranged from 6.71 to 89.15 pieces per kilogram of dry weight. Iodised salt showed the highest concentration (89.15 pieces per kilogram), while organic rock salt had the lowest (6.70 pieces per kilogram).
In sugar, microplastic concentrations ranged from 11.85 to 68.25 pieces per kilogram, with non-organic sugar containing the highest levels.
Microplastics are an increasing global concern due to their potential harm to both health and the environment. These tiny particles can enter the human body through food, water, and air. Recent studies have found microplastics in human organs, including the lungs, heart, breast milk, and even in unborn babies.
Earlier research has shown that the average Indian consumes 10.98 grams of salt and about 10 spoons of sugar daily—significantly higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limits.
