Microplastics in Amulya Milk Powder? An Insightful Analysis

With the development of modern technology, plastic wrapping methods emerged. Plastic has been easing the modern human lifestyle. However, there have been many problems related to plastic usage, such as microplastics. This article focuses on another microplastic-related problem, milk powder contamination of microplastics.

Social Media Posts 

Social media posts suggest that Amulya milk powder from India contains microplastics, which should be avoided. The reel also shows several microscopic images of microplastic particles.

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We decided to do a fact check to determine whether this is only limited to Amulya or if there is some issue common to all other milk powder brands. 

Fact-check 

Claim 1: Does Amulya Milk Powder Have Microplastics?

Amulya, a dairy whitener from the Amul milk powder company, is popular in India. The ingredients of Amulya milk dairy whitener can be found on the official website of Amul.  

We have searched the news sources to see if Amul has been involved in any big allegations related to the microplastic inclusion of their products. But we could not find any such information from reputed sources.

Then, we have contacted the Amul company, and with their responses, we will update this article 

Then, we searched the research of India and other countries related to the inclusion of microplastics in milk powder and products.

From that, we found that microplastics are prevalent in nearly all research on milk powder brands. So, it`s clear that it`s common for milk powder brands to have microplastics in their products.

By referencing research papers, we found that the microplastics in those milk powder products come from the packaging/wrapping material of milk powder, which is made from plastic products.

Independent studies suggest that microplastic contamination in milk powder is not limited to a single brand but is a widespread phenomenon.

1. Microplastics are defined as plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size. According to research done in Tamil Nadu, India, all the milk powder brands tested positive for microplastics. The Department of Biotechnology of Arts and Science College-Kongunadu conducted the study in 2022. Although no specific brand is mentioned in the research paper, they say all brands include microplastic particles from various levels. The research paper can be read from here.
2. As per recent research in China in 2023 related to milk powder, all infant milk brands they took included microplastics. Their research shows that boxed milk powder products have more microplastics than canned milk powder. It emphasises the importance of packaging material when considering the microplastic contamination of foods, etc. They say that packaging material may be the primary source of microplastics found in milk powder products. Further, they point out in the research paper that microplastic exposure in feeding bottles is 6.8 times higher than that of milk powder. The research paper can be reached here.
3. As per another research done in Turkey in 2023, all the milk powder brands they tested included microplastics. Ethylene vinyl acetate was the dominant polymer found in milk. The study shows that microplastic exposure related to individuals regarding milk powder consumption varied from 62 to 142 particles/year. As per the research, teenagers are more exposed to microplastics than adults. However, they conclude that the polymer risk index and microplastic pollution load index are at a moderate level and not at high-risk levels when considering the microplastic exposure due to milk powder consumption. The research paper can be reached here.

Thus, It`s clear that, as shown in the social media posts, Amulya milk powder can also include microplastics in its packaging. But this is not unique to Amulya; it`s a common factor for all milk powder products, like many other modern-day products. 

While referring to the video mentioned in the social media post doesn’t mention the experimental setup or sample handling conditions. Thus, background contaminations are also possible. Thus, without details on laboratory precautions (e.g., contamination controls), it is impossible to conclusively determine whether the microplastics shown originated from the milk powder itself or external sources.

Claim 2: Anything bad with Microplastics? FDA stance on Microplastics 

According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), some evidence suggests that microplastics and nanoplastics enter the food supply, primarily through the environment. However, as per the FDA, current scientific evidence does not demonstrate that levels of microplastics or nanoplastics detected in foods pose a risk to human health. The FDA continues to monitor the research on microplastics and nanoplastics in foods and is taking steps to advance the science and ensure food remains safe. FDA stance can be reached from their official website here

Further, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recommends increasing transparency about plastics in food packaging, evaluating new entry routes of microplastics into the food chain, and, despite limited toxicity data, taking precautionary measures such as setting exposure limits, monitoring intake, and promoting biodegradable plastics to protect public health. Read here

Conclusion 

Research indicates that microplastics are present in milk powder products across various brands due to plastic packaging materials. While the health effects of microplastic exposure continue to be researched, studies have found varying levels of microplastic content in different packaging types. For instance, research data shows lower microplastic levels in canned milk powder compared to boxed varieties. Current industry standards regarding microplastic content in food packaging continue to evolve as new research emerges.