How many plastic additives does the average person eat in a day?
Plastic additives show up in many foods. A 2025 total-diet study found plasticizers in 85% of tested food samples.
What's actually in it
Food can pick up plastic additives from packaging, wraps, processing equipment, and storage containers. The main group in this study was plasticizers, including compounds such as DEHP, DEHA, and ATBC.
Small amounts from many foods can add up over a day. Babies and toddlers can get more per pound because they eat a lot for their size.
What the research says
A 2025 Journal of Hazardous Materials total-diet study tested 109 food samples. Plasticizers were found in 85% of samples, with total concentrations ranging from not detected to 22.0 micrograms/g wet weight.
The study found some additives varied by packaging type. DEHA was mainly linked with fresh food wrapped in plastic materials, while ATBC appeared in some foods packaged in glass containers. Estimated daily intake ranged from 0.29 to 516 micrograms/kg body weight/day across infants, toddlers, and adults.
You cannot control every step before food reaches your kitchen. You can control storage at home. Move leftovers and opened foods into glass storage jars or containers, and do not heat food in plastic.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic additives in the diet: Occurrence and dietary exposure in different population groups. | J Hazard Mater | 2025 |