Which brands of salt do not contain microplastics? A Deep Dive into Purity

According to research co-designed by Greenpeace, over 90% of sampled salt brands globally contained microplastics, a concerning finding for consumer health. This article explores which brands of salt do not contain microplastics by examining their sourcing and filtration methods.

Quick Summary

Explore the sources of microplastic contamination in salt and discover brands that offer purer alternatives. This guide highlights companies utilizing ancient underground sources or advanced filtration to minimize plastic particles in their products. Learn what to consider when choosing salt for a cleaner, healthier diet.

Key Points

• Prevalence is High: Over 90% of sampled salts globally have shown microplastic contamination, largely due to modern plastic pollution.

• Ancient Sources Offer Purity: Brands like Redmond's Real Salt (from Utah) and Murray River Salt (from ancient aquifers) are sourced from prehistoric deposits, isolating them from modern pollution.

• Filtration is Key for Sea Salt: Reputable sea salt producers, such as Ava Jane's Colima and Jacobsen Salt Co., utilize fine micron filters to remove microplastics from their source water.

• Source Matters More Than Appearance: The color or type of salt (e.g., Himalayan pink) is not a guarantee of purity; recent studies have found high microplastic levels in some terrestrial salts.

• Third-Party Testing is Your Guide: Brands like Vera Salt provide third-party lab testing results to verify their claims of low-to-no microplastic content.

• Airborne Contamination is a Factor: Even salt from non-oceanic sources can be contaminated by airborne microplastics, highlighting the importance of controlled production environments and packaging.

• Prioritize Sustainable Packaging: To further reduce risk, choose brands that use plastic-free packaging like glass or cardboard.

The Problem: How Microplastics Get Into Our Salt

Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic debris that have become ubiquitous in the environment, polluting our oceans, lakes, and even the air. When it comes to salt, these particles can enter the final product through various routes.

• Oceanic Contamination: The most direct route for microplastics into salt is via the oceans. Modern seawater is heavily polluted with plastic waste, which degrades into microplastic particles. As sea salt is harvested through the evaporation of seawater, these particles can become embedded in the salt crystals. Studies consistently show that sea salt has some of the highest microplastic loads, directly correlating with the level of ocean pollution in the harvest area.
• Airborne Deposition: Microplastics are also present in the atmosphere, carried by wind and eventually settling on surfaces, including open-air salt pans used for harvesting. This affects both sea and terrestrial salt production.
• Industrial Processing and Packaging: Contamination can occur during the manufacturing and packaging stages. In some cases, microplastics from the machinery or plastic packaging materials can be introduced into the salt. A study on Australian salts even suggested that differences in contamination levels between salts from the same mine were likely due to variations in processing methods.

Brands Sourced for Purity

While contamination is widespread, several brands are recognized for their low-to-nonexistent microplastic content due to their unique sourcing or advanced processing methods.

• Redmond's Real Salt: This brand sources its salt from an ancient, pristine salt deposit in central Utah. Formed millions of years ago, this deposit was untouched by modern pollution, and the salt is mined rather than harvested from current water bodies.
• Vera Salt: Vera Salt is sourced from an ancient, protected spring aquifer in Spain. It is harvested by hand and is third-party tested for microplastics and heavy metals. The company also uses plastic-free packaging to avoid contamination.
• Murray River Salt: These salt flakes are harvested from ancient saline aquifers in the Murray-Darling basin in Australia. Protected from contemporary pollution, the salt is naturally free from microplastics, herbicides, and pesticides.
• Ava Jane's Colima Sea Salt: This Mexican sea salt is hand-harvested and uses a rigorous filtration system (0.5-5 micron filters) to remove microplastic particles from the seawater before evaporation.
• Celtic Sea Salt: Harvested using traditional methods from the Atlantic coastline in France, studies have shown relatively low levels of microplastics compared to other sea salts. Its traditional harvesting process may help minimize industrial contamination.
• Jacobsen Salt Co.: Sourced from the Oregon coast, this company also employs a micron-level filtration process to clean the salt before packaging, addressing the presence of microplastics in its source waters.

Comparison of Salt Types and Microplastic Risk

To make an informed decision, it's helpful to understand the inherent risk associated with different types of salt and their origin.

Salt Type	Common Sourcing	Microplastic Risk	Key Consideration
Sea Salt	Modern oceans via evaporation	High (variable by location)	High exposure to contemporary plastic pollution
Rock Salt	Underground mining from ancient deposits	Lower (potentially zero at source)	Contamination can occur during mining or processing
Spring Salt	Underground aquifers feeding brine springs	Low/Very Low	Purity depends heavily on brand and third-party testing
Himalayan Pink Salt	Khewra Salt Mine, Pakistan	Moderate/High (recent studies conflict on risk level)	Terrestrial source but studies found contamination, possibly from processing

How to Choose Salt Without Microplastics

When navigating the options, consider these tips to minimize your exposure:

• Seek Out Third-Party Testing: Many reputable brands, like Vera Salt, provide lab reports from third parties confirming the absence or low levels of microplastics. Look for this certification on their websites.
• Consider the Source: Prioritize salts sourced from ancient deposits, inland springs, or heavily filtered modern sources. Look for language indicating the salt was protected from modern pollutants.
• Choose Sustainable Packaging: While packaging might not be the primary source, opting for brands that use cardboard, glass, or other plastic-free materials can further reduce your risk and support sustainable practices.
• Don't Rely on Appearance: Salt color (e.g., pink Himalayan) is not an indicator of microplastic content. A recent study even found Himalayan salt to have a surprisingly high microplastic load.
• Read Labels and Research Brands: Before purchasing, take a moment to research the brand's sourcing and testing protocols. A quick search can often reveal a company's commitment to purity.

Conclusion

While microplastic contamination is a pervasive issue, consumers are not powerless. By understanding the sources of contamination and actively seeking out brands like Redmond's Real Salt, Vera Salt, and others that prioritize pristine sourcing or advanced filtration, it is possible to significantly reduce microplastic intake from dietary salt. The most reliable options often come from ancient, protected sources or utilize strict, verifiable filtration processes, putting the power of informed choice back in your hands. You can further reduce your microplastic exposure by reducing overall salt intake as recommended by health organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Himalayan pink salt contain microplastics?

Contrary to what some might assume, recent studies have shown that Himalayan pink salt can contain microplastics. Contamination likely occurs during the mining, processing, and packaging stages, and one Australian study even found higher microplastic loads in terrestrial salts like Himalayan and black salt than in marine salt.

Why do some sea salts contain microplastics?

Most sea salts are harvested by evaporating modern seawater, which is heavily contaminated with plastic debris. These plastic particles degrade into microplastics and become trapped in the salt crystals during the crystallization process.

What is the safest type of salt to avoid microplastics?

Spring salts sourced from deep underground aquifers or mined rock salts from ancient, protected deposits are generally considered safer options for avoiding microplastics. Brands like Vera Salt (spring salt) and Redmond's Real Salt (rock salt) are often cited for their purity due to their protected origins.

How can I check if my salt has microplastics?

As a consumer, you cannot visually check for microplastics as they are microscopic. The best approach is to rely on brands that provide third-party lab testing results for microplastics, which they often post on their websites.

Does refining salt remove microplastics?

Refining processes, such as the pure-dried vacuum technique used for fine salt, can help reduce microplastic contamination through repeated washing and filtering. However, airborne microplastics and other processing exposures can still occur.

Are microplastics in salt harmful to human health?

The potential health effects of consuming microplastics are still under investigation. While some studies suggest negligible risk from salt alone, long-term consumption of microplastics from various dietary sources is a growing concern. More research is needed to determine the full impact.

Is Kosher salt free of microplastics?

Kosher salt is defined by its flaky texture and grain size, not its sourcing. Depending on whether it's sourced from the ocean or underground deposits, it could contain microplastics. It's best to check the specific brand's sourcing and testing information.