Are there microplastics in store-bought packaged milk?

What's actually in it

Milk passes through plastic tubing, plastic processing equipment, and plastic pumps on its way from the farm to the carton or jug. It then sits in a plastic or plastic-lined container until you open it. At each step, there are opportunities for plastic particles to enter the milk.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Food Chemistry analyzed commercially packaged milk and found microplastics in all samples tested. Using microscopy and spectroscopy, researchers identified plastic fragments ranging from a few micrometers to hundreds of micrometers in size.

The most common plastic types found were polypropylene, polyethylene, and nylon, consistent with the materials used in dairy processing equipment. Some particles also matched the packaging material itself. The researchers tracked probable sources: processing tubing, bottle caps, inner can linings, and packaging seals all contributed to the microplastic load in the final product.

Infants and young children who drink milk as a dietary staple receive a larger dose per kilogram of body weight than adults. This is especially relevant for infant formula, which is often packaged similarly and consumed in larger relative quantities.

Glass-bottled milk eliminates the packaging source. Choosing glass where available is a practical way to reduce microplastic intake from dairy.