Glass bottles for beer, soda, and even water found to contain 'toxic' levels of cancer-linked microplastics than plastic bottles, study says

A new study from France’s food safety agency, ANSES, has found that drinks sold in glass bottles contain more microplastics than those sold in plastic bottles or metal cans. This unexpected result was shared on Friday and has raised new questions about how packaging affects what we drink.

What the Study Found

The research team looked at drinks like soda, beer, lemonade, iced tea, water, and wine sold in different types of bottles across France. They found that glass bottles had an average of 100 microplastic particles per litre, while plastic bottles had much lower levels, between five and 50 times less.

“We were expecting the opposite,” said Iseline Chaib, a PhD student who worked on the study.

Where Are the Microplastics Coming From?

The team discovered that most of the microplastic particles found in glass bottles came from the paint on the caps that seal them. These caps often rub against each other during storage, creating tiny scratches that release plastic particles.

The shape, colour, and type of plastic found in the drinks matched the plastic used in the cap paint. These particles are too small to see with the naked eye but end up in the drink during the bottling and storage process.

Which Drinks Are Affected?

• Soft drinks: Around 30 particles per litre
• Lemonade: Around 40 particles per litre
• Beer: About 60 particles per litre
• Water: Between 1.6 to 4.5 particles per litre (lowest levels overall)
• Wine: Very few microplastics, even in glass bottles with caps

The reason wine has so few microplastics is still unknown, the researchers said.

Is It Dangerous?

So far, there is no clear proof that these small amounts of plastic are harmful to human health. But since microplastics have been found in our food, water, air, and even our bodies, scientists are now trying to understand how much plastic we are exposed to and what it means for our health.

ANSES said that drink makers could help reduce microplastic levels by cleaning the bottle caps better. A simple method using air, water, and alcohol was found to cut contamination by 60 percent.

The full study was published last month in the Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. It shows just how far plastic pollution has spread, and how something as simple as a bottle cap can make a big difference.

Inputs from AFP