Assessing microplastic contamination and polymer hazard in preserved clams marketed in Italy and Spain

Flavia Capuozzo,Nicoletta C. Quaglia,Salud Deudero, Michele De Rosa, Federica Ioanna , Angela Dambrosio, 2026.Assessing microplastic contamination and polymer hazard in preserved clams marketed in Italy and Spain.Food Control. Volume 188. October 2026. 112269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2026.112269

Abstract:This study investigated microplastics in commercially preserved bivalves from Italy and Spain, including glass-jarred clams, canned clams, and canned cockles, analysing both edible tissue and preservation medium to reflect actual consumer exposure. Microplastics were found in all samples, with glass-jarred clams showing a load ten times higher (1.64 ± 0.27 MP g−1) than canned cockles (0.11 ± 0.02 MP g−1) and canned clams (0.09 ± 0.02 MP g−1). Fibres were the most common type, mainly 5–500 μm in size and predominantly blue or transparent. Glass-jarred clams contained polyurethane, blue paint residues, polyamide, ABS, PVC, and epoxy resins, while canned products contained polyamide-based resins and polyacrylic acid. Polymer Hazard Indexes ranged from 217964 to 2324522, with glass-jarred clams having the highest rating. These findings indicate that contamination may occur during packaging and processing, with species-specific factors influencing uptake. The presence of high-hazard polymers emphasises the importance of standardised analytical methods, improved packaging, and updated dietary exposure data.

Keywords:Microplastics, Preserved seafood,Food safety,Polymer hazard index,Risk assessment,