Microplastics found in Mediterranean fish and everyday foods raise health concerns

A two‑year study by the Oceanographic Institute of Trieste, published as “Mare Nostrum 2025”, revealed that more than 80% of sampled Mediterranean fish—including tuna, sea bream and seabass—contain microplastic fragments. The highest concentrations were recorded in the western basin, especially the Ligurian Sea, the Gulf of Naples and northern Sicilian coasts. The report links these particles to chronic digestive inflammation, oxidative stress and reduced reproductive success in marine species, and warns that humans ingest the same contaminants through seafood.

A separate analysis identified five unsuspected food items that also carry high microplastic loads: bottled water, sea salt, fruits and vegetables, tea bags, and ultra‑processed products. The particles originate from degraded plastic waste, primary microplastics in cosmetics, synthetic fibers from laundry, and leaching from packaging during heating or storage. Consumption of these foods may trigger systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and potential endocrine disruption in humans. Both studies call for stricter plastic‑use policies, improved waste management and consumer awareness to curb exposure.