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Nestl\u00e9 and Danone under the microscope: what our tests found<\/strong><\/h2>\n\nIn Greenpeace International\u2019s new report \u2013 Tiny Plastics, Big Problem: The Hidden Health Risks of Plastic Pouches for Baby Food<\/em><\/strong>, we dig into the worrying topic of babies\u2019 exposure to microplastics<\/a> through a popular packaged food. We commissioned an independent lab to investigateNestl\u00e9\u2019s Gerber<\/em>brand yoghurt-based puree and Danone\u2019s Happy Baby Organics<\/em>brand fruit-based puree packaged in plastic spout pouches<\/strong>. The<\/strong> tests found microplastics present in the food of both products<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-international-stateless\/2026\/05\/259fc3a6-gp0su7ndd_medium-res-with-credit-line-1200px-1024x768.jpg\")
Research commissioned by Greenpeace International in 2025 found microplastics present in baby food packaged in plastic spout pouches sold by Nestle\u2019s Gerber brand and Danone\u2019s Happy Baby Organics brand. The evidence further suggests that the plastic pouches release microplastics and chemicals into the food. \u00a9 Anna Wells \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nIn a gram of food \u2013 the weight of one little raisin \u2013 the Gerber<\/em> pouches contained up to 54 microplastics on average, and the Happy Baby Organics<\/em> pouches contained up to 99 microplastics on average. That\u2019s equivalent to up to 270 and up to 495 microplastics per teaspoon<\/strong>, or an estimated total of more than 5,000 particles in each Gerber<\/em> pouch and more than 11,000 in each Happy Baby Organics<\/em> pouch. <\/p>\n\nThe evidence suggests a link between the type of plastic the pouches are lined with \u2013 polyethylene, and some of the microplastics found. The results also suggest the presence of a range of chemicals present in both the packaging and the food, including a known endocrine disrupting chemical in the Gerber yoghurt product. <\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-international-stateless\/2026\/05\/1cdc1e3e-gp0su8p0n_medium-res-with-credit-line-1200px-1024x682.jpg\")
Flexible plastic pouches are the fastest-growing and most popular format of baby food packaging in markets around the world. The pouches are mutli-layered and contain blends of plastic and foil. The pouches cannot be reused or effectively recycled. \u00a9 Tim Aubry \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nGerber and Happy Baby Organics pouches are sold in supermarkets and via online retailers to customers in numerous countries around the world. Parents are putting their trust in these well-known brands to ensure their babies\u2019 first bites of food aren\u2019t contaminated. Unfortunately, this research shows that Nestl\u00e9 and Danone cannot guarantee that. <\/strong><\/p>\n\nThis raises serious health concerns for the babies eating these products. And it casts a shadow over the entire baby food aisle. Plastic-free options are increasingly limited, and certainly not accessible to all parents. <\/p>\n\n
The plastic food chain: how packaging contamination reaches babies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\nNews headlines warning consumers about product recalls<\/a> due to plastic contamination have become more common. In a food delivery system so dependent on plastic at every stage of the supply chain, it\u2019s no wonder. Recalls are usually industry-driven. We rely on companies to catch and report suspected or proven problems, and to work with government agencies to notify the public and determine a way forward.
But what happens when the contamination isn\u2019t about a mechanical malfunction or human error? What checks and balances are failing, or worse, don\u2019t exist in the first place? Do these companies already know their products contain microplastics or had they somehow not given any thought to the prospect that eventually their plastic business model<\/a> would literally crumble apart? <\/p>\n\nNestl\u00e9 and Danone know they have a plastic problem. They just don\u2019t know how to prioritize people over plastic. And governments aren\u2019t holding them to account. <\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-international-stateless\/2026\/05\/d95e62d1-gp0su8p0o_medium-res-with-credit-line-1200px-1024x650.jpg\")
Flexible plastic pouches are the fastest-growing and most popular format of baby food packaging in markets around the world. The pouches are mutli-layered and contain blends of plastic and foil. The pouches cannot be reused or effectively recycled. \u00a9 Tim Aubry \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nA multilayered disaster for babies and the planet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\nThe scientific literature reinforces the warning signs shown by our research. Our report explains how this new study is the latest in a growing body of research investigating baby food packaged in multilayered, flexible plastic pouches and plastic food storage. As new evidence emerges, it consistently points towards microplastic and chemical exposure<\/a>, and this is true across multiple types of plastic products. <\/p>\n\nWe already know too well how plastic packaging is weakening the planet\u2019s immune systems<\/a> – worsening the biodiversity and climate crises across its lifecycle. Plastic packaging represents about 40% of global plastic production and waste<\/a>. It has caused waste management systems to buckle under immense, sustained pressure. Costing taxpayers, and governments. <\/p>\n\nThe more plastic companies produce<\/a>, the more exposed we are. Plastic packaging that makes its way into the environment <\/a>eventually breaks down into microplastics that circulate through ecosystems, move up food chains, and enter our bodies through air,<\/a> water or food. <\/p>\n\nWhether we are directly or indirectly exposed to microplastics and associated chemicals via packaging, we know that breaking free from the plastic crisis means breaking free from plastic packaging. <\/p>\n\n
Why system change on plastics is a public health imperative<\/strong><\/h2>\n\nTogether, Nestl\u00e9 and Danone account for a whopping 40% of the global baby food market, with Nestl\u00e9 leading the industry overall. With such a huge market reach comes added responsibility to drive the industry in the right direction for the good of its customers and the planet. But these corporate giants are no strangers to plastic pollution-related scandals. <\/p>\n\n
Nestl\u00e9 and Danone have repeatedly been two of the top plastic polluters globally,<\/strong> according to community clean-up brand audits by the Break Free from Plastic<\/a> movement. They pump out upwards of a million tonnes<\/a> of plastic packaging each year, playing a significant role in creating and sustaining the current plastic crisis. <\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-international-stateless\/2026\/05\/c3d8fe10-gp0su1hs6_medium-res-with-credit-line-1200px-1024x683.jpg\")
Plastic trash in the Philippines. \u00a9 Geric Cruz \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\nVoluntary commitments by Nestl\u00e9 and Danone haven\u2019t gone far enough to meaningfully reduce their plastic footprints, or drive wider industry shifts towards non-toxic, zero waste models. And efforts to meet external certifications<\/a> on reducing toxins in products still allow the potential for microplastics and chemicals to slip through the cracks of their product packaging. <\/p>\n\n
In a gram of food \u2013 the weight of one little raisin \u2013 the Gerber<\/em> pouches contained up to 54 microplastics on average, and the Happy Baby Organics<\/em> pouches contained up to 99 microplastics on average. That\u2019s equivalent to up to 270 and up to 495 microplastics per teaspoon<\/strong>, or an estimated total of more than 5,000 particles in each Gerber<\/em> pouch and more than 11,000 in each Happy Baby Organics<\/em> pouch. <\/p>\n\n The evidence suggests a link between the type of plastic the pouches are lined with \u2013 polyethylene, and some of the microplastics found. The results also suggest the presence of a range of chemicals present in both the packaging and the food, including a known endocrine disrupting chemical in the Gerber yoghurt product. <\/p>\n\n Gerber and Happy Baby Organics pouches are sold in supermarkets and via online retailers to customers in numerous countries around the world. Parents are putting their trust in these well-known brands to ensure their babies\u2019 first bites of food aren\u2019t contaminated. Unfortunately, this research shows that Nestl\u00e9 and Danone cannot guarantee that. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n This raises serious health concerns for the babies eating these products. And it casts a shadow over the entire baby food aisle. Plastic-free options are increasingly limited, and certainly not accessible to all parents. <\/p>\n\n News headlines warning consumers about product recalls<\/a> due to plastic contamination have become more common. In a food delivery system so dependent on plastic at every stage of the supply chain, it\u2019s no wonder. Recalls are usually industry-driven. We rely on companies to catch and report suspected or proven problems, and to work with government agencies to notify the public and determine a way forward. Nestl\u00e9 and Danone know they have a plastic problem. They just don\u2019t know how to prioritize people over plastic. And governments aren\u2019t holding them to account. <\/p>\n\n The scientific literature reinforces the warning signs shown by our research. Our report explains how this new study is the latest in a growing body of research investigating baby food packaged in multilayered, flexible plastic pouches and plastic food storage. As new evidence emerges, it consistently points towards microplastic and chemical exposure<\/a>, and this is true across multiple types of plastic products. <\/p>\n\n We already know too well how plastic packaging is weakening the planet\u2019s immune systems<\/a> – worsening the biodiversity and climate crises across its lifecycle. Plastic packaging represents about 40% of global plastic production and waste<\/a>. It has caused waste management systems to buckle under immense, sustained pressure. Costing taxpayers, and governments. <\/p>\n\n The more plastic companies produce<\/a>, the more exposed we are. Plastic packaging that makes its way into the environment <\/a>eventually breaks down into microplastics that circulate through ecosystems, move up food chains, and enter our bodies through air,<\/a> water or food. <\/p>\n\n Whether we are directly or indirectly exposed to microplastics and associated chemicals via packaging, we know that breaking free from the plastic crisis means breaking free from plastic packaging. <\/p>\n\n Together, Nestl\u00e9 and Danone account for a whopping 40% of the global baby food market, with Nestl\u00e9 leading the industry overall. With such a huge market reach comes added responsibility to drive the industry in the right direction for the good of its customers and the planet. But these corporate giants are no strangers to plastic pollution-related scandals. <\/p>\n\n Nestl\u00e9 and Danone have repeatedly been two of the top plastic polluters globally,<\/strong> according to community clean-up brand audits by the Break Free from Plastic<\/a> movement. They pump out upwards of a million tonnes<\/a> of plastic packaging each year, playing a significant role in creating and sustaining the current plastic crisis. <\/p>\n\n Voluntary commitments by Nestl\u00e9 and Danone haven\u2019t gone far enough to meaningfully reduce their plastic footprints, or drive wider industry shifts towards non-toxic, zero waste models. And efforts to meet external certifications<\/a> on reducing toxins in products still allow the potential for microplastics and chemicals to slip through the cracks of their product packaging. <\/p>\n\nThe plastic food chain: how packaging contamination reaches babies<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
But what happens when the contamination isn\u2019t about a mechanical malfunction or human error? What checks and balances are failing, or worse, don\u2019t exist in the first place? Do these companies already know their products contain microplastics or had they somehow not given any thought to the prospect that eventually their plastic business model<\/a> would literally crumble apart? <\/p>\n\nA multilayered disaster for babies and the planet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
Why system change on plastics is a public health imperative<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n
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