Even Honey Has Microplastics in It
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/8/2026
Every honey sample tested had microplastics in it. Artisanal honey actually had more than industrial honey.
15 Honeys Tested, All Contaminated
Researchers analyzed 15 honey samples from Turkey (8 industrial, 7 artisanal "special" honeys) for microplastic contamination. Every single one contained plastic particles, according to a 2026 study in NPJ Sci Food.
Artisanal honey had significantly more: 11.4 particles per sample vs. 4.9 for industrial honey. Fragments made up 67% of the particles, with sizes ranging from 85 to 1,200 micrometers. The most common plastics found were EVA, PET, PE, and polyamide.
A Lifetime of Plastic in Your Honey
Based on average consumption, researchers estimated a daily intake of 0.16 to 0.38 microplastics from honey alone. Over a lifetime, that adds up to 4,169 to 9,699 particles just from this one food.
Honey isn't a major source compared to water or produce, but it shows how plastic contamination reaches even the most natural-seeming foods. Bees collect it from the environment and pass it along.
What You Can Do
Buy honey in glass jars, not plastic squeeze bottles. Support local beekeepers who use minimal processing. And reduce your overall plastic exposure with non-toxic kitchen alternatives for food storage and prep.
Also see glass food containers for safer alternatives.