A wild shopping frenzy over an Aldi Special Buys item has lifted the lid on a worrying trend among consumers, as experts plead with Aussies to reconsider how they shop.
Scores of shoppers rushed into their local supermarket to pick up the viral Crofton speckled chopping board this week, with videos apparently showing “grown women fighting” over the brightly coloured $24.99 item. The chaotic scenes shared by some highlight Australia’s “overconsumption” of “cheap plastic” items, some say, calling attention to the health risks associated with continued exposure to microplastics.
Plastic chopping boards, particularly as they become old and worn, are thought to be a major contributor to microplastics ending up in our food and in our bodies. When used regularly, they can shed thousands of tiny microplastic particles into food. Even food-grade plastic that’s labelled BPA-free still sheds microplastic particles through normal use.
Dr Scott Wilson, from the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP), told Yahoo News plastic chopping boards can be harmful.
“There’s a whole range of reasons why we should reduce our exposures to microplastics,” he said. Like with asbestos and other fine particles, microplastics can get into our lungs, gut and bloodstream.
“It’s a foreign particle that enters our body, and so it can cause inflammation and stress,” he explained. “There’s also a whole lot of chemicals attached to those plastics and those chemicals can be toxic, they can be harmful, they can be carcinogenic.”
Social media reacts to Aldi chopping board frenzy
Taking to social media to share her thoughts on the frenzy, one shopper argued that “grown women fighting over chopping boards” was “really out of touch with reality”.
“I get it, it’s cheap compared to the real one. But it’s a piece of plastic?” she said. Others said they didn’t get the hype.
“Lining up to buy microplastics for the whole family,” one said. “Wouldn’t touch them… plastic toxins. Wooden chopping boards are so much better,” another shared.
Microplastics a key contributor to infertility, naturopath says
Aussie naturopath Jade Walker says to see people fighting over a plastic chopping board makes her skin crawl. “I cannot stress enough how microplastics are something we need to be avoiding yesterday,” she said. “Please, please, please stop using plastic boards.”
“Microplastics pose significant risks, not only to our current health but also to the well-being of future generations and children,” she said, noting the “well-documented” link to fertility troubles. “Beyond human health, the impact extends to the health of animals and our oceans”.
Warning as tonnes of banned substances used on Aussie supermarket goods
Popped balloon triggers serious problem at popular Aussie beach
Call for change after young Aussie targeted by dangerous trend
Dr Wilson said while the link to infertility is “kind of suggestive for humans, there’s evidence with other animals that there are potential harms from the chemicals associated with these plastics.”
“Some of those chemicals are what we call endocrine disruptors. So they affect our hormone systems,” he explained. “Obviously, how we reproduce is driven by our hormones and the chemicals in our body. Those chemicals can interfere with that natural process.”
Studies have shown that overexposure to these microplastics, and therefore chemicals, can cause “a reduction in sperm numbers,” he said.
Simple swaps at home to avoid microplastics
Instead of plastic chopping boards, people are encouraged to choose one made from natural materials, including hardwood, glass or even stainless steel. Kitchen utensils are “another easy swap,” Dr Wilson said.
“So don’t use the plastic-coated spatulas. Swap them for stainless steel or ceramic,” he added. Instead of non-stick frypans, choose stainless steel or ceramic. And finally ditch plastic food containers for glass instead.
“They’re great value for storage in the fridge, but try to use glass or some other alternative product,” Dr Wilson said. “We all know not to heat up your food in plastic containers. I think everyone’s probably aware of that by now. But even just storing it in the fridge or freezer, it does still release those microplastics, so go for some alternatives.”
