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European Parliament asks EFSA for scientific advice on microplastics risks in food, water and air
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Friday, 26 December, 2025, 16 : 00 PM [IST]
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Brussels, Belgium
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The European Parliament has formally requested the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to deliver a scientific opinion on the potential health risks posed by microplastics present in food, water and air, underscoring rising public concern and the need for robust scientific clarity on the issue. Public interest in microplastics has surged in recent years, but significant knowledge gaps still exist regarding how these tiny particles enter the human body and what impacts they may have on health.
Under the mandate, EFSA experts will conduct a comprehensive review of the latest evidence on microplastics, including how they are transferred into the food chain, the mechanisms by which they may affect human health, and the most reliable methods available to assess associated risks. The review will also include updated dietary exposure estimates based on newly published data and scientific literature.
EFSA’s scientific advice, which is expected to be published by the end of 2027, will support the European Parliament and EU risk managers in their future decisions on how best to protect consumers from exposure to microplastics through food and other pathways. Given the current scientific uncertainty, this process is seen as an important step toward strengthening the evidence base for future policy actions.
Awareness about microplastics among European citizens is rising steadily. According to EFSA’s Special Eurobarometer on Food Safety (2025), awareness of microplastics in food has reached about 63%, an increase from previous years. Additionally, approximately one in three respondents now identifies microplastics as one of their main food safety concerns, highlighting the growing consumer focus on this topic.
EFSA has previously addressed microplastics issues in scientific reviews, including a recent literature review examining the release of micro- and nanoplastics from food contact materials, which identified data gaps and research needs. However, until now, a dedicated scientific opinion responding directly to parliamentary concern had not been undertaken.
This request represents a key moment in EU food safety science, reflecting both public demand for clearer answers on microplastics exposure and the need for evidence-based decision-making in future regulatory frameworks.
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