Occurrence, Characteristics, and Exposure Assessment of Microplastics in Commercial Dairy Products

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants of concern in the food supply, but data on their occurrence across dairy product categories remain scarce. The occurrence characteristics and potential hazards of MPs in five commercially available dairy products in China were investigated. MPs were isolated and characterized using an optimized alkaline digestion method combined with Nile red dyeing. Results indicated that MPs were detected in all dairy samples, with abundance ranging from 0.05 ± 0.02 to 1.25 ± 0.66 items/g. Fragmented MPs constituted the highest proportion, with most MPs smaller than 100 μm. PE and PET were the predominant types, suggesting packaging materials as the primary source. Exposure assessment via EDI revealed higher exposure in children than adults due to lower body weight. This study provides baseline data on MPs contamination in dairy products, highlighting the necessity for targeted monitoring and control strategies to ensure food safety.