BioLabMate at the Food Forward Summit, Toronto: Addressing Microplastics Through Sustainable Biomaterials
From Ocean to Plate: Microplastics, Canadian Food and Health
Our Co-Founder, Dr. Sarika Kumari, had the opportunity to present BioLabMate’s work at the Food Forward Summit, highlighting our development of seaweed-derived bioplastics and the role sustainable materials can play in reducing reliance on conventional single-use plastics.
Every Nova Scotia lobster tested in a 2025 Dalhousie study contained microplastics, about 6 to 7 particles per gram of meat.Nova Scotia mussels and oysters carry roughly 4 particles per gram (Dalhousie), and Canada is among the world's largest mollusc consumers.In Newfoundland and Labrador, 85% of shoreline waste is plastic, much of it lost fishing gear (CBC).Early studies link microplastics in the body to higher heart attack and stroke risk, though cause is not yet proven (Healio).Canadians discarded 5,152 kilotonnes of plastic in 2022, yet only 333 kilotonnes became recycled resin (Statistics Canada).
A key part of the discussion was the growing concern around microplastics. As larger plastic products break down, tiny plastic particles can enter marine environments, be ingested by marine organisms, and move through the food chain. This reinforces the need to rethink how short-life plastic products used in food, seafood, and packaging are designed.
At BioLabMate Composite Inc., we are developing biobased materials for more sustainable product and packaging applications, with a focus on practical performance and real-world use.
A sincere thank you to Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and the Food Forward Summit team for creating a platform that brings together innovators, industry leaders, researchers, and ecosystem partners working toward a more sustainable food and ocean economy.
