Do plastic-wrapped candies expose young children to microplastics?

What's actually in it

Plastic candy wrappers are typically made from polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyester films. These plastics shed microscopic fragments during manufacturing, handling, and storage. The candy sits directly against the wrapper, sometimes for months before it's eaten.

Young children eat candy differently than adults: they often chew through the wrapper edge, hold it against their mouths longer, and are less careful about wrapper contact. Toddlers are also more likely to mouth packaging directly.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Sci Total Environ tested plastic-wrapped candies for microplastic contamination. Every sample contained microplastics. The dominant particles matched the wrapper material, meaning the contamination came directly from the packaging itself.

Researchers estimated children's dietary exposure based on typical candy consumption in early childhood. The cumulative intake from candy alone was measurable. Adding up plastic exposure from all packaged snack foods and drinks makes the total substantially higher.

The study found both larger microplastic fragments and smaller nanoplastic particles. Nanoplastics are the more concerning size because they can cross intestinal walls into the bloodstream.

Switching to candies sold in glass jars, paper bags, or loose formats reduces this specific exposure route. For everyday snacks, choosing foods packaged in non-plastic materials cuts children's total microplastic intake meaningfully.