Microplastics were first found in the meat, milk and blood of cows and pigs.

A possible route of infection is plastic particles in the feed that got there from the packaging. The laboratory tested 12 animal blood samples - microplastics were in all. including polyethylene and polystyrene. Plastic was also found in seven out of eight beef samples, five out of eight pork cuts and 18 out of 25 milk samples. Scientists do not yet know how microplastics can affect the health of farm animals and people who eat meat and drink milk.