Happy Thanksgiving from Unseen!
John M.
Turkey not (yet) shown to contain microplastics
Although we suspect that there are some microplastics in turkey, it hasn’t been proven yet in a study so we are going to pretend (at least for this year) that turkey is plastic-free! One study in 2020 did find that deli turkey contained microplastics, likely from the tray in the packaging (trays are typically made of extruded polystyrene).[1] But to our knowledge no one has tested whole turkeys for microplastics yet!
However, do not eat wild turkey from certain areas of Maine
Maine officials have expanded their ‘Do Not Eat Wildlife Advisory’ to additional areas due to elevated PFAS levels in deer and turkey. These advisories were first placed in 2021, and involve extensive wildlife sampling. The elevated levels of PFAS is believed to be due to the spreading of municipal and/or industrial sludge. Maine generally seems to be ahead of the curve in its testing for forever chemicals and its work to reduce human exposure.
What are we thankful for at Unseen?
We are thankful that there are so many scientists out there investigating and documenting where microplastics and forever chemicals are, and brainstorming on how we can reduce our exposure to them. For example, experts at the University of New Mexico are hosting a conference on “Microplastics Exposure and Human Health” from January 11-14, 2026.
Kedzierski M, Lechat B, Sire O, Le Maguer G, Le Tilly V, Bruzaud S: Microplastic contamination of packaged meat: Occurrence and associated risks. Food Packaging and Shelf Life 2020; 24: 100489.