Detection of Microplastics in Commercial Beverages: A Comprehensive Study in Bangladesh Using μ‐FTIR Spectroscopy

ABSTRACT The irresistible intrusion of microplastics (MPs) into the food chain is a growing concern for both the public and the research community. This study investigated MPs in four different commercial beverage categories, including mineral waters ( n = 18), soft drinks ( n = 24), fruit juices ( n = 15), and hot teas ( n = 12), covering 23 Bangladeshi brands for MPs contamination and its estimated human consumption. Results affirmed the ubiquity of MPs at the rank of hot tea in disposable cups > fruit juice > mineral water > soft drink, with a range of 193–4560 MPs/L, which is higher compared to most reported levels in beverage items worldwide. Transparent, colored and fragment‐shaped MPs were dominant. Furthermore, the most frequent MP dimensions ranged between 10 and 100 µm, which was 86% of the total detected MPs. Among the 10 identified polymer types in this study, the most likely polymers were polypropylene, polyamide and polyethylene terephthalate for bottled beverages originating from packaging, manufacturing, and transportation. Besides, polyethylene was the predominant polymer in hot tea, leaching from disposable cups. This study provides evidence that the level of direct dietary intake (daily and annual) of MPs through beverage consumption for Bangladeshi individuals is substantial.