Stimulating translational research and improving the understanding of the impact of microplastics on human health
Task Force Information
Objectives
The Microplastics Initiative’s ambition is to become a multidisciplinary reference community, fostering the exchange of state-of-the-art scientific knowledge and the latest advancements in the field of micro- and nanoplastics. Our expert panel is dedicated to consolidating the current state-of-the-art in dietary microplastics and nanoplastics analysis, offering valuable suggestions to advance methods toward a harmonised analytical methodology. Our goal is to address pressing health concerns related to the impact of dietary microplastics and nanoplastics on consumer health.
Task Force Members
| Alexander Saffert | Tetra Pak | Food Chemist | DE |
| Robert Ellis-Hutchings | Dow | Senior Toxicology Scientist | US |
| Biljana Dimcic | AB-InBev | Science and Regulatory Affairs Manager | BE |
| Marinella Vitulli | Food Contact Center | Director | IT |
| Michele Suman | Barilla | Food Safety & Authenticity Research Manager | IT |
Contact Information
For more detailed information, please contact Ruchi Shah at rshah@ilsieurope.be
Activity Overview
Ongoing
- Community of Practice
The Microplastics Initiative has established a Community of Practice (CoP) in December 2024 bringing together experts from various disciplines to address the challenges of microplastics and nanoplastics in the food and beverage sector. The CoP aims to coordinate activities, lead developments in the food sector, and create synergies among stakeholders.
The Community of Practice is preparing a webinar series for 2025 centered around four key focus areas: Analytics, Exposure, Biomonitoring, and Health Impact.
- Webinar I: Analytics (20 Feb 2025)
- Webinar II: Exposure (coming soon)
- Webinar III: Biomonitoring (coming soon)
- Webinar IV: Health Impact (coming soon)
Read the activity one-pager here
Request to join here
- Guidelines for Harmonisation of Analytical Approaches for Dietary Microplastics.
The paper will focus on working definition of microplastics in food and beverages and guidelines for harmonisation of analytical approaches for dietary microplastics.
Upcoming
- Mapping of Activities and Initiatives
The Group will conduct a mapping of activities and initiatives to identify gaps and guide research with best practices for analysing microplastics in the food sector. The mapping will focus on four pillars:
a.Health effects
b.Exposure and toxicology
c.Analytics
d.Biomonitoring data
Expected kick-off: Q4 2024
- Round Table Discussions
Within the CoP, the group will organise Round Table Discussions to enhance our understanding of microplastics critical issues in food and beverages, promoting collaboration and advancing practical solutions.
Multimedia
One-Pagers
Initiative
Community of Practice
Webinars
Videos
Pills from the #AskTheExpert activity of FoodSafety4EU project with members of the Microplastic Initiative. The objective of this activity was to explore the format of short video pills to raise awareness on food safety among society. The brief video interviews address food safety topics.
- In what type of food it is more likely to find microplastics particles? - Todd Gouin
- What are microplastics? Where do they come from, and where can we find them - Todd Gouin
- What are we missing to better understand the health impact of microplastic exposure? - Todd Gouin
- Do you have suggestions of what we can do to reduce our exposure to microplastics? - Todd Gouin
- Is it dangerous to ingest plastics? - Stephanie Wright
- What kind of impact can microplastics found in food have on human health? - Stephanie Wright
- Are there any potential negative effects of microplastics particles to human health? - Stephanie Wright
- How can microplastics particles enter your body? - Alan Boobis