Microplastics are small particles, ranging in size from 0.1 micrometers (one thousandth of a millimeter) to 5 millimeters, which are difficult to degrade, and persist in the marine environment for a long time. Microplastics can spread throughout the entire marine food chain and reach humans through the consumption of seafood products. Some studies have shown traces of MPs in pigs and poultry previously fed fish-based feed, as well as in drinking water, milk, honey, rice, beer, and sea salt.

Find out more about microplastics in food in this video produced by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe).