A new study published in the journal Microplastics has detected microplastic contamination in several traditional fermented fish products from Northeast India, identifying a previously overlooked route of human exposure to plastic pollution. Researchers reported finding plastic particles in Ngari and Hentak from Manipur and in Shidal, a fermented fish product commonly eaten across the region.
These foods are dietary staples in many northeastern communities, prepared through age-old fermentation methods and consumed at home and in local markets. The discovery of microplastics in such widely eaten ethnic foods raises concerns about the extent to which everyday dietary items may contribute to microplastic ingestion.
Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic, typically less than 5 millimetres in size, that originate from degraded larger plastics or from manufactured particles. They have been detected in water, soil, seafood and now, according to this research, in traditional fermented fish products-highlighting how plastic pollution can enter food chains through multiple, sometimes unexpected, pathways.
The study’s findings signal the need for further investigation to determine how these plastics enter fermented fish-whether through raw ingredients, water, processing, packaging or environmental contamination-and to measure the amounts present. They also point to a gap in food-safety monitoring for traditional and artisanal foods that are important to local diets but often fall outside formal regulatory oversight.
Public-health researchers and local authorities should prioritise follow-up studies to assess potential health risks, map contamination sources, and design mitigation measures. Meanwhile, reducing plastic pollution at its source and improving handling, storage and packaging practices for traditional foods could help lower the risk of microplastic contamination in regional diets.
Original Source: https://eastmojo.com/news/2026/03/12/microplastic-now-in-traditional-northeast-fish-products-including-ngari-study/
Category: Assam,Manipur,National News,News,Northeast News,Top News,Tripura
Tags:
Publish Date: 2026-03-12 16:13:00
