Microplastics in baby food pouches overview
- Greenpeace finds microplastics in Nestlé Gerber and Danone baby foods
- Testing shows up to 99 particles per gram in pouches
- Packaging likely source with polyethylene linked to contamination in study
- Findings renew scrutiny on plastic packaging used across infant nutrition sector
- Industry faces pressure to improve transparency, innovate materials, reassure parents
Nestlé and Danone’s infant products are facing scrutiny for the second time this year, after microplastics were discovered in their baby food products.
The latest development follows a Greenpeace investigation, which found microplastic particles in every analysed sample of Nestlé’s Gerber and Danone’s Happy Baby Organics – both of which are sold in plastic squeeze pouches.
Greenpeace says the test conducted also “suggests that a range of chemicals” were present in both the packaging and product. This, they say, indicates the “plastic packaging itself may be a source of contamination, potentially exposing babies to thousands of microscopic plastic fragments with every pouch consumed”.
Key findings:
- For every gram of baby food tested, researchers found up to 54 microplastic particles in Gerber pouches and up to 99 particles in Happy Baby Organics pouches, on average. That’s equivalent to as many as 270 (Gerber) and 495 (Happy Baby Organics) microplastics per teaspoon
- The study estimated a total of more than 5,000 particles in each Gerber pouch and more than 11,000 particles in each Happy Baby Organics pouch
- The study also identified a range of plastic-associated chemicals present in both the packaging and the food, including the presence of a potential endocrine disruptor in the Gerber samples tested
- The study suggests a link between polyethylene, the plastic the pouches are lined with, and some of the microplastics found in the baby food tested.
“This study is a wake-up call for parents everywhere, who trust these brands to put their kids first,” says Graham Forbes, Global Plastics Campaign Lead from Greenpeace USA. “Plastic-dependent companies like Nestlé and Danone owe families a clear answer: what are they doing to eliminate microplastics and chemicals from the products they sell to babies?”
Nestlé was quick to respond to the report, saying: “We understand the concerns raised in this report and take them seriously. We want to reassure all consumers that our products are safe to consume.
“We apply strict controls across our manufacturing, including the rigorous selection and management of packaging materials.”
It went on to say that Nestlé, “continuously” monitors emerging science and regulatory guidelines, including on microplastics, to ensure its products meet “all applicable food safety standards and regulatory requirements”.
The Swiss food and beverage giant also highlighted the current industry-wide reliance on plastic food-grade packaging, saying it plays an “essential role” in protecting food and beverage products and helping to prevent food waste.
Danone was slightly more guarded in its response, saying: “Danone is aware of the report released by Greenpeace regarding the alleged presence of microplastics in certain baby food products packaged in pouches.
“Happy Baby pouches are designed and manufactured according to stringent quality and food safety standards and methods, and in line with all applicable regulations. All Happy Family pouch baby food products are safe.“
The French multinational went on to question the Greenpeace study, claiming “numerous flaws in the methodology” used for the research.
It’s important to note that Greenpeace does not appear to have tested baby food pouches from other manufacturers, and these may also be found to contain microplastics. Greenpeace has not yet responded to request for comment on this.
Infant formula crisis
Nestlé and Danone, alongside French multinational Lactalis, have already faced fierce scrutiny this year, following concerns their infant formula products contained the toxin, cereulide. The matter sparked a global recall and damaged the reputations of all three multinationals.
Investigations into the contamination remain ongoing.
Packaging under pressure
For the wider infant nutrition sector, the findings are likely to intensify pressure on both packaging formats and transparency standards.
Squeeze pouches have become a popular format for consumers, offering convenience and and on-the-go functionality, but questions around microplastic migration could accelerate a shift towards alternative materials or formats.
At the same time, regulators may come under increased scrutiny to define clearer guidance on microplastics in food, particularly for vulnerable groups such as infants.
Brands, meanwhile, face a growing expectation to go beyond compliance, investing in packaging innovation and proactively communicating risk assessments.
In a category built on trust, even emerging scientific uncertainty has the potential to reshape product development priorities.
