Muslim
Taipei, July 14, 2026 – A groundbreaking survey released today by Greenpeace Taiwan has revealed a pervasive reliance on plastic packaging for infant complementary foods, raising significant concerns about potential microplastic exposure for the youngest consumers. The report, titled "Packaging Survey of Baby Food Products, Including Fruit Purees and Yogurts, in Major Retail Channels in Taiwan," found that nearly 80 percent of all baby fruit puree and yogurt products available in Taiwan are sold in plastic pouches. This figure escalates to an alarming 100 percent in major hypermarkets, effectively leaving parents with no non-plastic packaging alternatives for these essential first foods.
The comprehensive survey, conducted in April 2026, meticulously examined baby food offerings across various retail environments. These included prominent hypermarkets, local pharmacies, specialized baby product stores, and major online shopping platforms such as Momo, PChome, Shopee, and Coupang. The findings indicated a stark dominance of plastic pouches, particularly in hypermarket settings, where the packaging choice was exclusively plastic. Other retail channels showed slightly lower, but still substantial, percentages, ranging from 74 to 79 percent for plastic pouch packaging. Prominent brands like Babybio, HiPP, Pascual, and Earth Love were identified among those utilizing this type of packaging.
"Parents select baby food with the sole intention of nurturing their children’s growth and well-being, not to inadvertently expose them to the risks associated with plastics from their very first spoonfuls," stated Chi Lo, Communications Officer at Greenpeace Taiwan. "When a staggering 80 percent of products employ plastic pouches, this transcends mere parental preference; it signifies a market failure in providing adequate safer alternatives and a regulatory lag in addressing these emerging concerns."
The Hidden Threat: Microplastic Contamination in Baby Food Pouches
The report shines a spotlight on the potential for plastic pouches to be a significant vector for microplastic exposure. These multilayered packaging solutions, typically composed of materials such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), aluminum foil, and polyethylene (PE), feature an inner PE layer, a spout, and a cap that are in direct contact with the food. Emerging scientific research increasingly suggests that the environmental consequences of plastic packaging extend far beyond post-consumer waste, with direct implications for human health through ingestion.
In a pivotal study commissioned by Greenpeace International in 2025, Norway’s SINTEF Ocean laboratory conducted an in-depth analysis of pouch-packaged baby food from two major multinational brands. The laboratory tests yielded concerning results: microplastics were detected in every single product subjected to analysis. Some fruit puree samples contained an astonishing concentration of up to 99 microplastic particles per gram of food, which translates to more than 10,000 microplastic particles per pouch. Similarly, certain yogurt products were estimated to contain upwards of 5,000 microplastic particles per pouch.
The investigation also identified specific polymer types, including polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), within the food samples, strongly indicating that the packaging materials themselves are a primary source of this microplastic contamination. Beyond microplastics, the research further uncovered the presence of dozens of plastic-related chemicals. A significant portion of these identified substances are associated with known toxicities and endocrine-disrupting properties, adding another layer of complexity to the potential health risks.
Experts Advocate for Precautionary Principle in Child Protection
The scientific community is increasingly voicing concerns about the long-term health implications of microplastic ingestion, particularly for vulnerable populations like infants and young children. Dr. Tzung-Hai Yen, a nephrologist at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, emphasized the need for proactive measures, even in the absence of definitive human health impact data.
"While the scientific community is still working to fully ascertain the precise level of microplastic exposure that is detrimental to human health, existing animal and cell studies have provided evidence that high levels of exposure may induce oxidative stress, inflammation, and potentially even organ damage," Dr. Yen explained. "Action should not be deferred until the health impacts on humans are unequivocally proven. The precautionary principle must guide our actions, compelling us to proactively mitigate human exposure to microplastics."
Dr. Yen further highlighted the critical developmental stage of infants and young children, noting their heightened susceptibility to environmental contaminants compared to adults. "Reducing their exposure should be an utmost priority," he urged.
Echoing these sentiments, Dr. I-Lun Hsiao, Director of the Food Safety Testing and Functional Development Research Center at Taipei Medical University, pointed to another significant concern: the potential release of Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS) from plastic pouches. These are chemically complex compounds that can be generated during the manufacturing process of plastics or leach out during their use, and they may pose independent health risks.
Dr. Hsiao underscored a notable regulatory gap in Taiwan. "When compared to the established frameworks in the European Union, the United States, and Japan, Taiwan currently lacks a comprehensive regulatory system specifically governing chemicals utilized in plastic food packaging, as well as robust mechanisms for information disclosure," she stated. "Certain plastic-related chemicals are known to possess endocrine-disrupting properties. The potential for these chemicals to enter the human body concurrently, and to interact with each other, could lead to synergistic effects that amplify potential health risks."
A United Call for Enhanced Government Regulation and Industry Accountability
In light of these findings and expert opinions, Greenpeace Taiwan and the collaborating medical experts have issued a joint appeal to Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration and other relevant government bodies. The core demands include:
- Strengthening Regulations on Food Contact Materials: Implementing stricter regulations for chemicals used in food packaging, particularly those found in materials that come into direct contact with infant and child food. This includes a comprehensive review and ban of chemicals with known toxicities or endocrine-disrupting properties.
- Mandating Microplastic Testing and Disclosure: Requiring mandatory testing of baby food products for microplastic content and compelling manufacturers to publicly disclose these results.
- Promoting Safer Packaging Alternatives: Incentivizing and supporting the development and adoption of alternative, non-plastic packaging materials for baby food products.
- Enhancing Transparency and Information: Establishing clear labeling requirements for food packaging materials, informing consumers about the composition and potential risks associated with them.
Greenpeace also issued a direct call to action for baby food manufacturers, urging them to proactively conduct their own rigorous testing for microplastics and hazardous chemicals within their products and to transparently share these findings with the public.
"Every parent is committed to providing the best possible nutrition for their children. The next generation should not be burdened with the health risks emanating from plastic packaging," Lo asserted. "Given the ongoing scientific uncertainties surrounding the full impact of plastic pollution on human health, it is imperative that the government fortifies its food packaging regulations. Simultaneously, we must prioritize reducing unnecessary plastic production at its source and phasing out single-use plastic products and packaging that are both unnecessary and pose high risks. Only through such comprehensive and proactive measures can we effectively safeguard the next generation from the pervasive threat of microplastics and plastic-related chemicals."
The detailed findings of the packaging survey and the Greenpeace report, "The Microplastics Crisis: Hidden Risks of Plastic Pouches in Baby Food," are available in accompanying appendices. The implications of this report are far-reaching, signaling a critical need for immediate attention from regulatory bodies, manufacturers, and consumers alike to ensure the safety and health of Taiwan’s youngest population.
Suro Senen
Basiran
