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A new study using infrared spectroscopy reveals that commercial beet sugar contains microplastic particles, raising concerns over food processing and packaging practices. Scientists identified various plastic types in sugar samples, including polyethylene and PET.
Microplastics Found in Everyday Beet Sugar Products
In a detailed chemical analysis published in Process Safety and Environmental Protection, researchers Mehmet Yurtsever and Mehmet Ali Cuevelek from Sakarya University in Turkey have confirmed the presence of microplastic particles in commercially available beet sugar products. Their study, titled "Abundance of microplastics in the agro-industrial product beet sugar; food or plastifood," offers a comprehensive evaluation of microplastic contamination using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy (1). FT-IR has become a powerful tool for microplastic analysis (1,2)
Sugar-coated plastic? Spectroscopy reveals microplastic contamination in beet sugar. © Butsarakham -chronicles-stock.adobe.com
The research analyzed 15 different beet sugar products, including white sugar, brown sugar, and molasses—each sourced from a variety of domestic brands. The results showed that every product tested contained microplastics (1).
Spectroscopy as the Analytical Workhorse
The study utilized attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy to identify the polymer types of microplastics. This technique is well-suited to analyzing small, heterogeneous particles without extensive sample preparation (1).
By isolating particles between 10 µm and 500 µm in size from dissolved and filtered sugar samples, the team was able to confirm the polymer identity of the particles by matching IR absorption bands to known plastic spectra. A total of 342 particles were spectroscopically identified, with polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS) being the most common (1).
Processing May Be the Primary Source
The researchers hypothesize that the processing and packaging steps in the industrial sugar production chain may be the primary sources of plastic contamination. The presence of PET suggests possible introduction during filtration or packaging, while PE and PP may originate from machinery or storage containers (1).
Interestingly, white sugar had the highest number of microplastic particles per kilogram, while brown sugar and molasses contained fewer particles. The authors speculate that this difference could be due to further refinement processes used in producing white sugar, which may increase contact with plastic materials (1).
Implications for Public Health and Industry
The presence of microplastics in sugar products—especially those widely consumed across the globe—raises significant questions for both food safety authorities and sugar producers. While the study does not make direct claims about health effects, it underscores the need for further research into chronic exposure to microplastics through food (1).
Moreover, the findings may prompt sugar manufacturers to re-evaluate their processing and packaging practices, particularly the use of plastic materials in direct contact with food.
Global Relevance, Local Findings
While the study focused on products sourced in Turkey, the authors note that beet sugar is a globally traded commodity, and similar processing techniques are used worldwide. Therefore, the presence of microplastics in sugar is likely not limited to one region or manufacturer (1).
This study adds to a growing body of evidence showing that microplastics are not just a marine or environmental issue, but a food chain concern. Given that sugar is found in nearly every processed food, these findings may have wide-reaching implications.
References
(1) Yurtsever, M.; Cuevelek, M. A. Abundance of Microplastics in the Agro-Industrial Product Beet Sugar; Food or Plastifood. Process Saf. Environ. Prot. 2024, 188, 467–479. DOI: 10.1016/j.psep.2024.05.066
(2) Peng, S.; Wang, F.; Wei, D.; Wang, C.; Ma, H.; Du, Y. Application of FT-IR Two-Dimensional Correlation Spectroscopy (2D-COS) Analysis in Characterizing Environmental Behaviors of Microplastics: A Systematic Review. J. Environ. Sci. 2025, 147, 200–216. DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2023.10.004
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