Hidden risk of Microplastics in Milk Tea and Coffee: A Case Study from China's Freshly-Made Beverage Market

Microplastics (MPs) have been widely detected in commercial food, and they may have negative impacts on human health. However, MPs-related risks require further exploration. This study focused on the freshly-made beverages in mainland China to explore MPs-related risks in milk tea and coffee. A total of 105 samples from 7 well-known brands were purchased via 3 different approaches (delivery, shopping malls and subway stations). MPs were detected in 93% of the samples, ranging from 0 to 43 particles·cup^-1, with an average of 9.6 ± 9.5 particles·cup^-1. There were significant differences in MP abundance among different brands, while the purchasing approaches had a negligible impact. Polyamide (PA), polyurethane (PU), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were the main polymer types, indicating that MPs mainly originated from the external environment. The characteristics of MPs in these beverages are similar to those found in the human stomach. Further estimation of annual MP intake from freshly-made milk tea and coffee revealed that the average intake of MPs by Chinese adults was 24.60 particles·yr^-1·kg^-1, and women intakes more than men. These findings fill a research gap on MP pollution in such beverages, and they are important for food safety.

Environmental implications

The freshly-made beverage industry, with its extensive use of single-use plastics for packaging and open-air preparation, contributes significantly to MP pollution. MPs can harm aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the estimated annual intake of MPs by Chinese adults from such beverages raises human health concerns. Brands can mitigate this by using less plastic, improving production hygiene, and choosing MP-free methods. Regulatory intervention, like setting MP limits and curbing single-use plastics, is also crucial. Moreover, consumers can choose brands with sustainable practices, ultimately helping to reduce the environmental impact of MP pollution from this industry.