Are microplastics in seafood pushing up microplastic intake by age?

What's actually in it

Seafood is not just protein. It is a carrier for microplastics. These tiny plastic particles end up in the fish we eat, and then they end up in us. When you consume seafood, you are also consuming the plastic that the fish ingested during its life in the water.

It is not just the fish itself. Packaged frozen seafood can also be contaminated with microplastics, according to a 2026 study in Food Chem. These particles are often accompanied by other harmful substances. For example, a 2026 study in Environ Pollut found that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (toxic chemicals) can attach to microplastics. Once in your body, these plastics can cause damage to your cells and even lead to cell death.

What the research says

Peer-reviewed research shows that your age and diet change how much plastic you take in. A 2026 study in J Food Sci specifically looked at how age affects microplastic intake through seafood. The study found that intake levels are not the same for everyone; they vary by age group, meaning your risk changes as you get older.

The problem is not limited to seafood. Plastic is everywhere in our food chain. A 2026 study in Food Chem Toxicol found that even packaged milk contains microplastics. Furthermore, a 2026 study in Water Res confirmed that how you store your food and water matters. Everyday handling of plastic bottles increases the amount of nano- and microplastics that leach into your drinks.