[SamuelAdams]

Let’s say we eventually get accurate measures of what is a healthy amount of plastics versus harmful amount. Let’s pretend the law is updated so that food manufacturers must limit the number of microplastics to a healthy level.

Does that capability even exist? How can food manufacturers actually control microplastics in their products? The report said even canned products have microplastic, so I think it’s more than just the final packaging.

[abeppu]

I think the issue with canned products is still mostly about the packaging; cans generally have a plastic lining/coating that is meant to prevent their contents from reacting with the metal. Unfortunately, this is also true of metal lids on glass jars. This is even true of the lids used for home canning!

I think the capability exists (we had cans and jars before we had these chemicals), but both industry norms and likely consumer expectations must shift. E.g. suppose you had new processes which could cool food in a sterile environment before filling cans -- then could cans do with an organic wax liner?

https://ekko.world/plastic-lining-on-beverage-food-cans/2267... https://www.ewg.org/news-insights/news/aussie-study-finds-ph...