The tiny particles of plastic in the food and water we consume every day adds up—it’s the equivalent of eating a credit card every week.
If that sounds unhealthy, it should. Researchers have found that microplastics can leach hazardous chemicals into the bloodstream, causing serious effects like liver damage.
What’s worse is that microplastics are everywhere—including in up to 90% of all bottled water. We need the food industry to take the threat of microplastics seriously. That’s why we’re calling on Whole Foods, a leader in healthy and sustainable food, to take action now.
Call on Whole Foods to live up to its promise of wholesome, healthy food and investigate microplastics in its food.
What makes microplastics so dangerous is just how small they are—small enough to cross cell membranes and cause nerve damage in shrimp and fish. And while the impact of microplastics on humans is unclear, as one toxicologist put it: “It’s never good news having particles in your brain.”
Whole Foods has taken action to protect people and the planet before. When some of its packaging was found to contain carcinogenic chemicals, Whole Foods was quick to replace it with a safer option. And the company is taking steps to reduce plastic waste by 80,000 pounds a year.
We’re counting on Whole Foods to be a leader again in taking on the threat of microplastics. But we need your help to put enough pressure on the grocery giant to act—before it’s too late to stop the buildup of microplastics in all of us.
Tell Whole Foods: take pre-emptive action to remove microplastics from its food products.
More information
WHO launches health review after microplastics found in 90% of bottled water
The Guardian. 15 March 2018.
The Guardian. 15 March 2018.
People 'eating a credit card' each week thanks to plastic pollution, new study reveals
9 News. 12 June 2019.
9 News. 12 June 2019.