Is it safe to eat sugar that hasn't been filtered for microplastics?
Use caution. Refined sugar can contain small microplastic particles, but the bigger fix is using less packaged refined sugar.
What's actually in it
Refined sugar is mostly sucrose. But food can pick up tiny plastic particles from processing, handling, packaging, or the broader food system. You cannot see these particles in a bag of sugar.
This is not a reason to fear one cookie. It is a reason to keep refined sugar as an occasional ingredient, not a daily base food.
What the research says
A 2026 study in Journal of Hazardous Materials tested white sugar from major Italian brands and distributors. The study found small microplastic particles in the 5 to 100 micrometer range. PVC was the most common polymer, followed by PE, PS, PP, and PET.
The study does not prove a specific brand fix. The safest practical steps are simple: use less refined sugar, avoid storing sugar in plastic for long periods, and move dry pantry staples into glass containers once opened.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Hidden pollutants in food: Evidence of small microplastic particles (100-5 µm) in refined sugar from the Italian market. | J Hazard Mater | 2026 |
What to use instead
For opened pantry staples, glass containers reduce extra plastic contact in the kitchen.
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