Greenpeace finds microplastics in baby food pouches

Yes, I know baby food pouches are convenient and let babies feed themselves without making a mess.

But I can think of so many reasons not to use them.  Baby food pouches:

• Contain foods that are generally too sweet.
• Contain homogenious textures.
• Do not teach babies about the color, taste, and texture of real foods.
• Do not promote small motor skills.
• Undermine baby-led weaning (exploring real foods).

Now here is one more reason to avoid them: microplastics.

Greenpeace has measured microplastics in Gerber baby food pouches.  As the press release says,

A new investigation commissioned by Greenpeace International has found microplastics in every baby food pouch it tested, and estimates that a single Gerber pouch contains more than 5,000 microplastic particles and more than 11,000 in a Happy Baby Organics pouch. The study traced the likely source to the plastic lining of the pouches themselves.

The report, Tiny Plastics, Big Problem: The Hidden Health Risks of Baby Food Plastic Pouches, and an accompanying technical report, reveal:

• Researchers found up to 270 microplastic particles per teaspoon in Gerber pouches and up to 495 microplastic particles per teaspoon in Happy Baby Organics.
• The study found at least one endocrine disrupting chemical in the packaging and the food.
• The research suggests a link between polyethylene, the plastic lining the pouches, and some of the microplastics found in the baby food.

Greenpeace USA is calling on baby food companies to use packaging that will be safer for babies.  Sounds like a good idea.

This gives me an excuse to share what I’ve collected recently about microplastics.

• Microplastics and plastic bottles: How worried should we be?  The issue of microplastics and nanoplastics are increasingly coming into consumer consciousness… Read more
• How big a problem are microplastics?  The first global study of its kind quantifies the problem in the food and drink industry… Read more
• Microplastics are ‘widespread’ in cheese: here’s how this happens: Cheese is ripe in microplastics, a groundbreaking study revealed… Read more
• Ultra-processed foods are a key driver of the global plastics pollution crisis:  Rob Ralston, Katherine Sievert, Kim Anastasiou, Joe Yates & Jennifer Clapp.  Nature Food, 2006 doi:10.1038/s43016-026-01341-0.
• Can Food Packaging Go Plastic-Free?  The authors detail the environmental drivers, emerging materials, and research priorities shaping the transition from fossil-derived plastics to bio-based and circular solutions for food packaging. Read More
• Food & Water Watch:  250+ Health Professionals Call on EPA to Monitor Microplastics in Drinking Water.  Today, over two hundred and fifty doctors, nurses and other health care and public health professionals and organizations sent a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging the agency to add microplastics to the Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6) and monitor for these contaminants in our drinking water.

Comment

As I see it, this issue has reached an action level.

• Do what you can to avoid buying food and drinks in plastic containers.
• Don’t let babies eat from plastic containers.
• Let companies know you want them to use safer containers.
• Applaud companies that change their packaging.