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Research Project: Elucidating the Factors that Determine the Ecology of Human Pathogens in Foods

Location: Produce Safety and Microbiology Research

Title: Prevalence of environmental microplastics in Taiwan and its impact on the seafood safety: An integrative review

Author
item LIN, MENG-WEI - National Yang-Ming University
item Wu, Vivian
item LIN, CHIH-SHENG - National Yang-Ming University

Submitted to: Journal of Food Safety
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/5/2024
Publication Date: 6/18/2024
Citation: Lin, M., Wu, V.C., Lin, C. 2024. Prevalence of environmental microplastics in Taiwan and its impact on the seafood safety: An integrative review. Journal of Food Safety. 44(3). Article e13148. http://doi.org/10.1111/jfs.13148.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jfs.13148

Interpretive Summary: Environmental pollution and food safety are worldwide important issues. Plastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental worries, and it is only going to get worse in the near future. Human activity has led to microplastic contamination throughout the marine environment. As a result of widespread contamination, microplastics are ingested by many species of wildlife, including fish, cephalopods, and shellfish. This article reviews the sources and composition of MPs in Taiwan and reveals MPs' toxicity to food safety and human health.

Technical Abstract: Human activity has led to microplastic contamination throughout the marine environment. As a result of widespread contamination, microplastics are ingested by many species of wildlife, including fish, cephalopods, and shellfish. Taiwan is surrounded by oceans that offer a rich range of seafood. Taiwanese residents can easily acquire seafood as a source of dietary protein. A recent research project by Greenpeace shows that the Taiwanese eat 16,000 microplastic particles per year. There is concern regarding microplastic physical and chemical toxicity, which poses potential health risks to the local community via food chains. Thus, monitoring microplastic contamination in seafood is imperative to provide helpful information for the government and local communities. Efforts should be taken to reduce microplastic pollution at the source to minimize potential effects on ecological and health safety. This review article emphasizes the urgent need for further research on microplastic pollution in Taiwan, highlights the potential challenges to mitigate this emerging environmental threat, and analyzes food safety hazards as well as microplastic contamination in seafood.