Could Invisible Plastics Be Changing the Way We Think About Food Safety?

Plastic pollution is no longer just an environmental concern - it’s a health issue that also includes food safety. Tiny plastic particles, invisible to the naked eye, are making their way into the food we eat, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. As scientists race to understand the impact of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) on human health, the upcoming FOODMicro 2026 conference will put these emerging risks firmly on the agenda.

FOODMicro 2026—the 31st International Conference of the International Committee on Food Microbiology and Hygiene (ICFMH)—will take place from September 7–10, 2026, in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Held under the theme “Revisiting the Roots: Reviving Hygiene in Advancing Food Microbiology,” the conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders from around the world to discuss the latest advances in food safety, sustainable food production, and public health.

Importantly, micro- and nanoplastics will be a key topic of discussion, recognizing their growing relevance as a hidden, yet urgent, threat to food safety. Prof. Andreja Rajković, Imptox researcher from Ghent University and current President of ICFMH, is one of the key organizers of FOODMicro 2026. His leadership ensures that cutting-edge topics like MNPs will receive significant attention throughout the conference program.

MNPs can be found in seafood, dairy products, and even fruits and vegetables, often originating from sources such as contaminated water, food packaging, or agricultural practices. Research suggests that these particles can interact with allergens, pollutants, and pathogens, raising new questions about how they might affect human health when ingested. Understanding how MNPs behave in food matrices, and their potential effects on digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune responses, is becoming an increasingly critical part of food microbiology.

Get involved

Researchers and professionals interested in presenting their work are invited to submit abstracts.

• Registration and abstract submissions open on December 1, 2025.
• Abstract submission deadline: April 5, 2026.
• Acceptance notifications: May 29, 2026.
• Early bird registration deadline: June 19, 2026.

FOODMicro 2026 will be held at Cankarjev dom, the largest and most prominent congress center in Slovenia, located in the heart of Ljubljana.

For more information, visit the FOODMicro 2026 website.

Join us in Ljubljana to explore the future of food microbiology—and how invisible plastics are reshaping the conversation about food safety.