Dietician and nutritionist Susie Burrell has warned that takeaway coffee cups pose a significant source of microplastic exposure, urging consumers to adopt simple measures to reduce their risk. The warning, published across major Australian news outlets, highlights the hidden plastic lining in disposable cups and the potential health impacts of ingesting microscopic particles.
Australians who rely on takeaway coffee may be consuming more microplastics than they realise, according to leading dietician Susie Burrell. In a public statement issued this week, Burrell cautioned that the plastic lining inside most disposable coffee cups can shed tiny particles when exposed to hot liquids, potentially entering the body and accumulating over time.
Microplastics—plastic fragments smaller than five millimetres—have been detected in human blood, lungs, and even placentas in recent studies. While the long-term health effects are still being investigated, some research has linked them to inflammation, oxidative stress, and endocrine disruption. Burrell’s warning brings renewed attention to a widespread habit: an estimated one billion disposable coffee cups are used in Australia each year, most of which are lined with polyethylene to make them waterproof.
“Paper cups are not as innocent as they look,” Burrell said. “The heat from your coffee can cause the plastic lining to break down and release microplastics into your drink. Over years of daily consumption, that adds up.”
To reduce exposure, Burrell recommends switching to reusable cups made from ceramic, glass, or stainless steel—materials that do not shed plastic. For those who still use disposable cups, she advises avoiding very hot drinks, not microwaving them, and limiting consumption to one cup per day. She also suggests choosing cafes that use cups with compostable linings, though these may not eliminate microplastic risk entirely.
The takeaway coffee industry has faced increasing scrutiny over environmental waste, but the health angle is less widely discussed. Coffee vendors and cup manufacturers have yet to respond to Burrell’s specific claims. However, some industry groups have previously argued that the levels of microplastic migration are within safety limits set by food standards agencies.
The Australian Food Standards Authority (FSANZ) has not issued a specific warning about microplastics in coffee cups, noting that current evidence does not demonstrate a clear health risk at typical exposure levels. Independent researchers, however, caution that safety thresholds for microplastics are not yet established, and a precautionary approach is warranted.
Burrell’s message is straightforward: “We don’t need to panic, but we should be aware. Small changes can make a meaningful difference over a lifetime.”
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Direct health impact: Millions of Australians drink takeaway coffee daily, potentially ingesting microplastics with each cup.
- Widespread exposure: Disposable cups are one of many sources of microplastics, but they are a choice consumers can control.
- Regulatory gap: There are no mandatory limits on microplastic content in food contact materials in Australia, leaving consumers without official guidance.
Background
Microplastics have emerged as a pressing environmental and health concern over the past decade. These tiny particles, generated from the breakdown of larger plastic items, have been found in oceans, soil, drinking water, and food. The human health effects remain an active area of research, with preliminary studies suggesting potential links to chronic inflammation, metabolic disorders, and reproductive harm.
Takeaway coffee cups are typically made from paper but contain a thin polyethylene lining to prevent leakage. When hot liquid is poured in, heat can cause the plastic to degrade and release microscopic fragments. A 2022 study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology found that a single paper cup can release tens of thousands of microplastic particles. The issue has been known for years, but Burrell’s warning brings it back into public focus.
The Australian government has taken steps to reduce single-use plastics, including bans on plastic straws and cutlery in several states, but disposable coffee cups remain widely available. Recycling infrastructure for these cups is limited, meaning most end up in landfill or the environment.
Key Perspectives
Susie Burrell (dietician and nutritionist): Emphasises the precautionary principle—given uncertainty about long-term effects, consumers should minimise avoidable exposure. Her advice is practical and aimed at individual behaviour change.
Coffee industry and cup manufacturers: Defend the safety of disposable cups, citing compliance with food contact regulations. They may argue that microplastic levels are too low to cause harm and that reusable cups pose their own hygiene and material concerns.
Health authorities and researchers: Call for more robust epidemiological studies to determine real-world risks. FSANZ currently does not consider microplastics an urgent food safety issue, while some researchers argue that regulators are falling behind the science.
What to Watch
- FSANZ review: Whether the authority updates its position on microplastics in food contact materials in response to public concern.
- Industry shifts: Adoption of alternative linings (e.g., bioplastics, wax) or increased promotion of reusable cup programs by major coffee chains.
- Consumer behaviour: Tracking of reusable cup usage rates in Australia, which have risen but remain a minority.
- International regulation: The European Union is considering microplastic labelling requirements; Australia may follow similar precedent.