Under the Free LitterAT project, led by Fundación CETMAR and supported by the Interreg Atlantic Area Programme, the Portuguese research institution CIIMAR has published a new scientific study examining microplastics (MPs) contamination in marine ecosystems and seafood, raising concerns about potential risks to human health.
The study, entitled “Microplastic contamination in seafood”, addresses a key knowledge gap by comparing MPs contamination in fresh and canned samples of commercially important seafood species, including European pilchard, Atlantic chub mackerel and common octopus.
This is the first study to directly compare MPs contamination in fresh and canned seafood from the same species. The findings reveal that canned seafood showed a higher frequency and concentration of MPs than fresh samples. In addition, canned products presented greater variability in polymer types, colours and particle sizes.
Researchers suggest that canning processes may increase or alter MPs contamination, potentially affecting food safety.
“These findings emphasize the need for further research into MPs transfer mechanisms in seafood processing facilities to better understand contamination pathways,” the authors conclude.
The study, entitled “Microplastic contamination in seafood”, addresses a key knowledge gap by comparing MPs contamination in fresh and canned samples of commercially important seafood species, including European pilchard, Atlantic chub mackerel and common octopus.
This is the first study to directly compare MPs contamination in fresh and canned seafood from the same species. The findings reveal that canned seafood showed a higher frequency and concentration of MPs than fresh samples. In addition, canned products presented greater variability in polymer types, colours and particle sizes.
Researchers suggest that canning processes may increase or alter MPs contamination, potentially affecting food safety.
“These findings emphasize the need for further research into MPs transfer mechanisms in seafood processing facilities to better understand contamination pathways,” the authors conclude.
Publish date: 2026-02-18
