India, Feb. 6 -- We are living in an era where invisible plastic particles swirl in our oceans, float through the air we breathe, and even nestle deep within our organs. Microplastics-tiny shards from broken-down plastic goods-have infiltrated the entire planet. Alongside these microscopic invaders, "forever chemicals" like Per- and Polyflouroalkyl Substances (PFAS) quietly wreak havoc on our bodies and the environment. As India stands on the brink of unprecedented industrial growth, it must also confront the tidal wave of ultra-processed foods laden with hidden toxicants, wrapped in plastics, and ripe for greenwashing.

Microplastics, which are plastic particles of sizes five millimetres or less, enter the environment from a variety of s...