Try This: Why Is There Plastic in Our Grass-Fed Beef?

Earlier this year, we shared a shocking investigation from PlasticList, a nonprofit project founded by investor Nat Friedman. The team tested 300 popular food items for 18 types of plastic chemicals and found plastic in a jaw-dropping 86 percent of them.

But here’s what really made people pause: premium organic brands had some of the highest amounts of plastics. 

One of the worst offenders? Whole Foods’ Boneless Beef Ribeye Steak (Grass-Fed). 

Yup. One of the cleanest cuts on the market tested high in BPS and seven different phthalates, including DEHP, a chemical used in PVC plastic and glowsticks. Let that sink in. Yuck!! 

But this isn’t a Whole Foods issue!

It’s a supply chain problem across the entire food industry. Whole Foods, like many of the other brands tested by PlasticList, isn’t trying to poison us; they just have no clue that their products are contaminated by our increasingly toxic supply chain.

And Whole Foods, which I’m a fan of, wasn’t the only offender. There were other high scorers in plastic contamination, like RXBars and sweetgreen’s Chicken Pesto Parm Salad. So if you're thinking, “I buy the good stuff,” it turns out it still might be wrapped in plastic, literally.

The question becomes, “Why are so many of these products riddled with plastics, and what can we do about it?”

Let’s get into it… 

Why Are So Many Products Contaminated with Plastics? 

If you’re like me, you’re wondering why the heck there are high amounts of plastics in grass-fed and organic foods.

A butcher shop called Radius in Austin, Texas, set out to answer this question. They're known for their radically transparent sourcing and commitment to health. Also, shout-out to Seed Oil Scout for calling attention to this matter! 

After Radius saw PlasticList’s results, they decided to test their own beef at every stage of the supply chain to find out where plastics were sneaking in.

You can read their full blog here, but here’s what they found:

“Every meat processor has a disinfecting step where the carcass is sprayed with an acidic compound to kill surface pathogens. At large processors, the meat is then shrink-wrapped in plastic film containing phthalates. The acid can degrade the plastic, causing chemicals to leach directly into the meat.”

So the culprit? It’s not the cow’s diet. It’s not plastic-covered hay. 

It’s likely the chemical reaction between disinfectant sprays and shrink wrap used during processing and packaging.

That interaction could explain why even grass-fed, organic meat ends up with high levels of phthalates like DEHP, which even at small levels has been shown to cause reproductive harm in animal studies.

Check out this screenshot from PlasticList below to understand how Whole Foods’ grass-fed steak compares to steak from a local butcher in San Francisco. The numbers are pretty jarring! 

And when Radius tested their own product, they found that, despite extreme care, their meat still showed traces of plastic, and they aren’t sure why. But Radius, along with many of the companies tested for plastics, is on a mission to get to the bottom of this plastics problem.

Try This: How to Reduce Plastic Consumption (Especially in Meat)

Plastic chemicals like phthalates and BPS are known endocrine disruptors. They’ve been linked to fertility issues, hormone imbalance, metabolic dysfunction, and developmental problems in kids. I’m not saying all this to scare you, but more so to draw attention to this critical matter. 

For bigger companies, this is a call to action to try to reduce their plastics problem from farm to fork. For consumers, here are ways you can make a difference and protect yourself: 

• Get to know your local butcher: If you have a local butcher, get to know them and their meat. Strike up a conversation about their sourcing. The fewer middlemen that touch your food and the more local the sourcing, the higher the likelihood of a cleaner product.
  

• Support transparent producers: Companies like Radius are not only testing their meat, but they are also being transparent about their findings. Supporting companies like this helps to set a new standard for our food.
  
  Even though it's pricey, you're paying for quality and accountability. Others to keep an eye on: Maui Nui (one of my sponsors) and Seatopia. Remember, the fewer steps from farm to fork, the better!
  

• Limit precooked or prepackaged meat: Ready-made options often sit in plastic packaging for long periods.
  

• Cook at home and store ingredients in glass or stainless steel containers to avoid reintroducing plastics during prep.

Again, this isn’t about fear; it’s about awareness. The food system is complex, but with the right pressure (and our dollars), it can change. In the meantime, shout-out to the folks like Radius who are doing the work and helping us make better, more informed choices.

See you next week,
Dhru Purohit