Answer given by Mr Várhelyi on behalf of the European Commission
12.9.2025
1. The Commission is aware of publications on the presence of microplastics (MPs) in food. Following a mandate by the Commission, in 2016, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a statement[1] identifying data gaps on the presence of microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) in food and their effects on human health that required further research to enable a safety risk assessment for consumers. At the EFSA scientific colloquium on MNPs in food[2] in 2021, it was confirmed that still further efforts are needed to generate the data necessary for such assessment. As currently standardised and harmonised analytical methods are lacking for the monitoring of MPs in food, the Commission has been funding research under the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme[3].
2. Once suitable analytical methods are available, the Commission may recommend monitoring the presence of MPs in food. In case EFSA identifies health risks due a certain contaminant in food, the Commission may establish maximum levels, which are enforced via official controls. EFSA scientific colloquium on MNPs in food in 2021 confirmed that further efforts are needed to generate the data necessary for a comprehensive human health risk assessment. Recently, a scientific article was published providing a systematic global review of trends, health risks, and implications for consumer safety of microplastic contamination in fish[4].
3. The Commission promotes adequate waste management and circular economy in third countries through its development cooperation as well as in bilateral and multilateral engagement. It aims at agreeing an ambitious Treaty to fight plastic pollution across the planet.
- [1] EFSA Journal 2016;14(6):4501, https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/4501.
- [2] EFSA Supporting publication 2021: EN-6815, https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/events/event/update-scientific-colloquium-25-coordinated-approach-assess-human-health%20 .
- [3] https://cusp-research.eu/.
- [4] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118279.