In a historical moment in which attention to quality and safety of the packaging is increasingly central, a recent study conducted in France brings to light worrying data on the presence of microplastics in drinks stored in glass bottlesThe analyses highlight how the challenge isn't related to the material itself, which is among the safest in the packaging industry due to its composition, but rather to the attention to detail involved in bottle production.
A cross-sectional survey of containers
The research, conducted by the Boulogne-sur-Mer unit of the ANSES Laboratory for Food Safety, analyzed several brands of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available on the French market. The aim was to assess the amount of microplastics detectable per liter of product and, more importantly, to determine how packaging could influence their presence.
The unexpected data on glass bottles prompted researchers to investigate the possible sources of contamination, excluding glass material and focusing instead on accessory components, like corks.
Caps under observation
The paint coating the metal bottle caps was the main culprit. It emerged that simple friction between caps during handling can cause micro-abrasions, resulting in the release of invisible particles that end up inside the container when it's closed.
Tests conducted under controlled conditions have confirmed that targeted cleaning practices, such as blowing with compressed air and rinsing with filtered water and alcohol, dramatically reduce the presence of microplastics. This simple intervention opens up concrete possibilities for improving packaging quality without sacrificing proven and safe materials like glass.
Towards risk-free packaging
Glass remains one of the more reliable choices for safe packaging. The ANSES study, however, represents an opportunity for the supply chain: optimizing processes, improving component sanitization practices, and reviewing the materials used in less obvious details, such as cap coatings, can make a difference. The goal is not to change materials, but to refine the entire system so that every bottle offers the end consumer a safe, sustainable, and transparent experience.
Source: greenme.it
