Editorial Team
Elise Maren
Science Editor, Research & Chemistry
About Elise
Elise is the Science Editor at MicroPlastics with a research background in environmental chemistry. Her work focuses on water quality, food-packaging migration, plasticiser chemistry, and the analytical methods used to detect microplastics and nanoplastics in human tissues. She owns technical accuracy across the water, food, and packaging clusters — including the brand-by-brand product comparisons — and works with the editorial team to flag claims that exceed what the underlying studies actually support. Elise reviews source-paper interpretations against original journal text before articles publish.
Articles by Elise
44 articles in the MicroPlastics research library
May 22, 2025 · 8 min read
Microplastics in Rice: Is the World's Most Popular Grain Contaminated?
Instant rice contains up to 13 million microplastic particles per serving — 4x more than raw rice. Discover which types of rice are safest.
Read articleMay 23, 2026 · 11 min read
Microplastics in Drinking Water: USA vs Europe vs Asia (2026)
Regional deep dive: how microplastic contamination of drinking water differs across the US, Europe, and Asia. Treatment, regulations, and what to expect from each tap.
Read articleMay 19, 2026 · 12 min read
Microplastics Water Filters Compared: Brand-by-Brand 2026
Berkey vs Brita vs Clearly Filtered vs AquaTru vs Aquasana vs APEC — head-to-head comparison of popular water filters for microplastic removal.
Read articleMay 18, 2026 · 11 min read
Bottled Water Brands Ranked for Microplastics (2026)
Aquafina, Dasani, Evian, Smartwater, Fiji and more — bottled water brands ranked by microplastic content based on published studies. The cleanest and dirtiest brands.
Read articleMay 11, 2026 · 7 min read
Microplastics in Chocolate: From Cocoa Soils to Foil Wrappers
Microplastics enter chocolate through cocoa cultivation, processing equipment, and plastic-lined wrappers. Here is what studies show and how to choose cleaner chocolate.
Read articleMay 7, 2026 · 8 min read
Microplastics in Kombucha: Brewing Vessels, Bottles & SCOBYs
Most commercial kombucha ships in glass — but home-brew plastic vessels, plastic-lined bottle caps, and acidic fermentation accelerate microplastic leaching.
Read articleMay 6, 2026 · 10 min read
Microplastics in Protein Powder: Tubs, Sachets, and Shakers
Protein powder is exposed to plastic at every stage — tub liners, sachets, and plastic shaker bottles. Here is what to look for and which formats are cleanest.
Read articleMay 5, 2026 · 7 min read
Microplastics in Ice Cream: Cartons, Cones, and Cold Plastic
Ice cream picks up microplastics from polyethylene-lined paperboard cartons, plastic tubs, and cone wrappers. Here is what studies show and what to buy instead.
Read articleMay 4, 2026 · 13 min read
Best Stainless Steel Water Bottles 2026: Microplastic-Free Picks
The best stainless-steel water bottles for 2026, ranked. Klean Kanteen, Hydro Flask, MiiR, Owala, Stanley, Yeti — compared on microplastic exposure, insulation, lid type, and price.
Read articleMay 2, 2026 · 8 min read
Microplastics in Eggs: From Chicken Feed to Shell
Microplastics reach eggs through chicken feed, drinking water, and free-range soil exposure. Cage vs free-range vs pasture: what the studies show.
Read articleMay 1, 2026 · 7 min read
Microplastics in Breakfast Cereal: The Inner Plastic Bag Problem
The inner plastic bag inside every cereal box is the main microplastic source — most are HDPE or LDPE. Here is how to switch and what to look for.
Read articleApril 30, 2026 · 8 min read
Microplastics in Honey: What Bees Are Bringing Back to the Hive
Microplastic fibres have been detected in honey worldwide — partly from bee foraging, partly from packaging. Here is what studies show and how to choose cleaner honey.
Read articleApril 29, 2026 · 7 min read
Microplastics in Yogurt: How Cups & Lids Contaminate Dairy
Polystyrene and polypropylene yogurt cups leach microplastics — especially with acidic Greek yogurt. Glass-jarred yogurt is the safer alternative.
Read articleApril 28, 2026 · 12 min read
Best Glass Water Bottles for 2026: Ranked for Microplastic Safety
Glass water bottles eliminate microplastic leaching entirely. Here are the best borosilicate and soda-lime glass bottles for 2026, ranked by safety, durability, and price.
Read articleApril 27, 2026 · 7 min read
Microplastics in Bread: From Plastic Bags to Wheat Fields
Microplastics enter bread from plastic packaging, atmospheric deposition, and contaminated wheat soils. Here is what studies have found and how to choose safer bread.
Read articleApril 25, 2026 · 8 min read
Microplastics in Pasta: What Studies Found in Dry & Cooked Pasta
Studies have detected microplastics in dry pasta from packaging and in cooked pasta from utensils and water. Here is what to know and how to reduce it.
Read articleApril 15, 2026 · 12 min read
International Report: Microplastics in Drinking Water (2026)
The 2026 international report on microplastics in drinking water — WHO, PNAS, EPA findings, regions with highest contamination, and what it means for you.
Read articleApril 19, 2026 · 8 min read
Microplastics in Chewing Gum: The 2025 UCLA Study Explained
A 2025 UCLA study found a single piece of gum releases hundreds of microplastic particles. What to chew (and what to skip) if you want to avoid plastic.
Read articleApril 22, 2026 · 14 min read
Best Water Filter for Microplastics: 2026 Comparison & Guide
The 2026 guide to filtering microplastics. Reverse osmosis vs carbon block vs ceramic vs distillation — what removes what, ranked.
Read articleApril 24, 2026 · 9 min read
Microplastics in Coffee by Brewing Method: 2026 Ranking
Pods, paper-cup drip, French press, espresso, pour-over, AeroPress — ranked by microplastic release. The safest way to brew coffee in 2026.
Read articleApril 8, 2026 · 11 min read
Microplastics in Drinking Water by Country: 2026 Global Report
2026 international report on microplastics in drinking water by country. See cleanest vs most contaminated regions, ranked by particle count.
Read articleFebruary 5, 2026 · 10 min read
Microplastics in Tea Bags: Plastic-Free Guide
Pyramid mesh bags are nylon or PET; most paper bags use a polypropylene seal. Brand-by-brand cheat sheet and the cleanest loose-leaf and paper-only swaps.
Read articleMay 8, 2025 · 11 min read
Bottled Water Microplastics: What to Drink Instead
A 2024 PNAS study counted ~240,000 plastic particles per liter in bottled water — 90% nanoplastics. Why bottles shed, what raises risk, and what to drink instead.
Read articleAugust 30, 2025 · 8 min read
Microplastics in Sushi: Raw Fish, Soy Sauce Packets & Plastic Trays
Raw fish, plastic sushi trays, soy sauce fish packets, and rice all contribute to sushi microplastic load. Here is what to know and how to order safer.
Read articleMay 28, 2025 · 7 min read
Microplastics in Disposable Cutlery: Plastic Forks, Spoons, Knives
Disposable plastic forks, spoons, and knives shed microplastics with every bite — especially with hot or oily food. Here is what to use instead.
Read articleDecember 15, 2025 · 10 min read
Chewing Gum Brands Ranked for Microplastics (2026)
Trident, Extra, Orbit, Stride, 5 Gum vs Simply Gum, Glee Gum, Chicza, Pur — chewing gum brands ranked for microplastic content based on ingredients and testing.
Read articleJuly 11, 2025 · 9 min read
Microplastics in Canned Tuna and Salmon: Double Exposure
Canned tuna and salmon combine fish-borne microplastics with epoxy can liner BPA leaching. Here is what brands tested cleanest and why pouches aren't safer.
Read articleMay 25, 2026 · 11 min read
Is Your Coffee Cup Giving You Microplastics?
Standard "paper" coffee cups have a PE plastic liner; the lid is PP/PS. A 2022 study estimated ~1,500 microplastic particles per hot drink. The safer-mug swap and what to ask at cafés.
Read articleMarch 29, 2026 · 11 min read
Microplastics in Protein Powder and Supplements
Tubs, scoops, plastic shakers, sachets, gummies — what raises microplastic risk in your supplement routine. Transfer to glass + metal scoop + glass shaker for ~$30-50.
Read articleMarch 28, 2026 · 9 min read
Microplastics in Tap Water: Is Your Drinking Water Safe?
94% of US tap water samples contain microplastics. Learn how they get there, which filters actually remove them, and why tap is still safer than bottled.
Read articleMarch 21, 2026 · 13 min read
Microplastics in Fast Food Packaging: Wrappers, Cups, Sauce Packets
The wrapper, cup, lid, sauce packet, and clamshell can matter more than the food. Consumer Reports detected phthalates in 99% of fast-food samples (2023). Lower-risk ordering habits.
Read articleFebruary 7, 2026 · 12 min read
Tap Water vs Bottled Water: Which Has More Microplastics?
Bottled water averages ~240,000 particles/L; unfiltered tap is far lower; filtered tap is the cleanest everyday option. Full comparison plus filter picks.
Read articleJanuary 17, 2026 · 15 min read
25 Foods With the Most Microplastic Risk, Ranked
A ranked list of 25 everyday foods with the highest microplastic exposure — most from packaging, heat, and reuse rather than the food itself. Safer swaps for each.
Read articleOctober 20, 2025 · 9 min read
Microplastics in Seafood: Which Fish Are Safest to Eat?
From shellfish to salmon, microplastics have been found in every type of seafood studied. We rank the safest fish to eat.
Read articleOctober 8, 2025 · 10 min read
Microplastics in Milk and Dairy Products: A Complete Guide
Studies have found microplastics in milk, cheese, yogurt, and even human breast milk. Learn how dairy gets contaminated from farm to fridge.
Read articleSeptember 25, 2025 · 6 min read
Microplastics in Salt: Should You Switch Brands?
Sea salt contains up to 600 microplastic particles per kilogram. We compare sea salt, rock salt, and Himalayan salt to find the cleanest option.
Read articleSeptember 5, 2025 · 9 min read
Microplastics in Fast Food: What Recent Studies Found
Recent studies found microplastics in every fast food sample tested. From plastic-coated packaging to PFAS-laden wrappers, learn which items are worst.
Read articleAugust 25, 2025 · 9 min read
Microplastics in Soda and Energy Drinks: What Tests Reveal
Beverages are the #1 most-scanned category in the MicroPlastics app. Research reveals alarming microplastic levels — carbonation may increase plastic leaching by 40%.
Read articleAugust 12, 2025 · 9 min read
Microplastics in Fruits and Vegetables: How Produce Gets Contaminated
Microplastics have been found inside the tissue of commonly consumed produce, absorbed through root systems from contaminated soil and irrigation water.
Read articleJuly 8, 2025 · 8 min read
Microplastics in Canned Food: What You Need to Know
Every food can contains a plastic polymer lining that leaches microplastics and chemicals into your food. Acidic foods like tomatoes are worst affected.
Read articleJuly 3, 2025 · 9 min read
Microplastics in Beer and Wine: What Every Drinker Should Know
Microplastics have been found in all 24 beer brands tested in a German study, and wine is no exception. Learn which drinks are safest.
Read articleJune 18, 2025 · 9 min read
Microplastics in Meat and Chicken: From Farm to Fork
Microplastics have been found in 100% of meat samples tested. Learn how contamination happens through animal feed, packaging, and processing.
Read articleApril 20, 2025 · 12 min read
Microplastics in Food: Which Foods Contain the Most?
Humans ingest approximately 5 grams of plastic every week. From seafood to tea bags, we rank the foods with the highest microplastic contamination.
Read articleApril 10, 2025 · 9 min read
Microplastics in Coffee: What's Really in Your Morning Cup?
Plastic coffee pods release up to 16 billion nanoplastics per cup, and paper cups shed 25,000 particles in 15 minutes. Learn which brewing methods are safest.
Read article