Micro(nano)plastics in plant-derived food: Source, contamination pathways and human exposure risks

Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) contamination in plants and plant-derived food has raised concerns about food safety and human health risks. This review examines the sources, contamination pathways, and human exposure risks of MNPs in plant-derived food. MNPs have been found in fruits, vegetables, staples, and processed plant-derived foods. The major sources of MNPs in plant-derived food include the soil-plant system, air deposition, and food processing and packaging. MNPs can infiltrate plants through root uptake from the soil, via cracks in roots and endocytosis. However, quantifying human consumption of MNPs from plant-derived food is challenging. While existing research shows MNPs toxicity in human cells and animals, further investigation is required to determine health risks from MNP exposure through plant diets. In the future, it is crucial to establish detection methods for MNPs, minimize the uptake of soil MNPs by plants, and reinforce related food safety control.