🧴 Glass or plastic: which pollutes your drink more? A surprising study

Glass is often seen as the most natural and healthy packaging: reusable, endlessly recyclable, inert… But the ANSES study No. 05066642v1, published on June 20, 2025, reveals a counterintuitive result: some drinks packaged in glass contain more microplastics than those in plastic bottles or cans.

🧪 What does the ANSES study reveal?

The researchers analysed various beverages – water, sodas, iced teas, beers and wines – stored in different containers: glass, plastic, carton and can.

Key findings:

• Glass bottles (colas, lemonade, tea, beer): approx. 100 particles/L
• Plastic bottles or cans: 5 to 50 times fewer
• Bottled water: 4.5 particles/L (glass) vs. 1.6 particles/L (plastic or carton)
• Wine: very low levels

🎨 Source of contamination: painted caps

The main source of particles is the paint on the metal caps. Friction during transport causes micro-abrasions that fall into the drink.

🛠️ Tested technical solution

Three protocols were tested:

1. Uncleaned cap → ~287 particles/L
2. Air-blown cap → 106 particles/L
3. Air-blown + rinsed cap → 87 particles/L

Simple industrial cleaning can reduce contamination by over 70%.

🧾 Summary table

Criterion	Glass	Plastic
Microplastic contamination	⚠ 100 p/L	✅ 5 to 50× less
Bottled water	⚠ 4.5 p/L	✅ 1.6 p/L

📌 In summary

Surprisingly, plastic isn’t always the most contaminated option. In some cases, glass with painted caps shows higher microplastic levels. The issue lies not only in the packaging material, but also in technical packaging details.

📖 Official study link:
ANSES – Beverages in glass bottles contain more microplastics than in other containers (study No. 05066642v1)

What if baking bread became a simple everyday pleasure? Far from being a chore, this age-old practice is making a comeback—driven by the desire to eat healthier, save money, and rediscover the joy of creating with your own hands. Here’s why more and more households are turning to homemade bread.

🥖 1. Full control over the ingredients

Baking your own bread means knowing exactly what’s inside. No additives, preservatives, or questionable enhancers. You choose the flour (wholegrain, buckwheat, ancient grains…), the yeast or sourdough, the salt level, and any seeds or dried fruits. Perfect for people with allergies, gluten intolerance, or anyone who wants to eat clean.

🌱 2. More nutritious and easier to digest

By using organic flours, whole grains, and natural sourdough, your bread is rich in fiber, nutrients, and much easier to digest than most store-bought loaves. You also avoid excess salt and sugar commonly found in industrial bread.

💶 3. Truly cost-effective

Homemade bread typically costs two to three times less than artisan or organic bakery bread. With a bread machine or a reliable oven and just a few basic ingredients, you can feed your household without sacrificing quality.

🌾 4. Endless variations

Buckwheat bread, pumpkin seed loaf, rosemary twist, gluten-free, sourdough, sweet or savory… You can adjust each batch based on your mood, dietary needs, or pantry ingredients. That kind of freedom doesn’t exist on supermarket shelves.

🏠 5. Fresh bread, anytime

No more early runs to the bakery! With some planning (or a programmable machine), you always have fresh bread on hand—even on Sundays or holidays. A real everyday comfort.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 6. A rewarding and social activity

Bread making is a sensory experience: kneading, shaping, watching the dough rise, smelling it bake… It’s satisfying and calming. It also makes a great shared activity with kids or family.

🌍 7. A more sustainable approach

Homemade bread means fewer packages, fewer car trips, and fewer processed foods. A small gesture with a big impact on sustainable living.

In summary

Homemade bread isn’t a trend—it’s a smart move toward better health, independence, and creativity. Whether you’re a beginner or a passionate baker, every loaf is a win against over-processing and a step toward real, mindful eating.

Organic infusion enthusiasts are often driven by values such as respect for health and nature. Yet an essential question arises: Are infusion bags free of plastic? On the 7-bio blog, we provide an overview to help you consume more sustainably.

Why Do Some Bags Contain Plastic?

Plastic is sometimes used in the manufacture of infusion bags to ensure their durability or airtightness. Some bags, even those made of paper, may include a thin layer of polypropylene (PP) to seal the edges. In contrast, transparent pyramid-shaped bags are often made from nylon or PET (polyethylene terephthalate), materials that are not biodegradable.

What Are the Risks of Plastic in Infusion Bags?

When immersed in hot water, some bags that contain plastic can release tiny particles, known as microplastics. These residues are concerning for both health and the environment, as they do not break down easily. Moreover, a recent study published on ScienceDirect (view study) demonstrated that immersing plastic-coated bags can also release nanoplastics, thereby increasing potential risks to human health and the environment.

Plastic-Free Alternatives

Unbleached Paper Bags Certified Plastic-Free: Made from natural fibers, these bags are biodegradable, compostable, and guaranteed to contain no plastic.

Heat-Sealed Bags Without Plastic: Some brands offer heat-sealed bags that contain no plastic components, ensuring a truly eco-friendly alternative.

Loose Infusions – The most eco-friendly option: By using a tea ball or strainer, you completely eliminate waste.

How to Choose Plastic-Free Infusions?

When purchasing your organic infusions, carefully check the information on the packaging. Look for clearly stated indications such as “plastic-free”. Some products claiming to be plastic-free may nevertheless contain plastic components. It is therefore recommended to opt for certified alternatives or loose infusions, and to scrutinize the packaging details.

7-bio’s Commitments

Choosing organic infusions without plastic means acting for your well-being while protecting the planet. Make a simple yet impactful gesture by opting for committed brands!

Discover our selection of organic infusions at 7-bio.ch.

References

• Study on the Release of Microplastics and Nanoplastics from Infusion Bags. ScienceDirect. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653524026377

The difference between organic wine and biodynamic wine primarily lies in the agricultural practices and underlying philosophical principles. Here’s an overview of the differences:

Organic Wine

Agricultural Practices:

• Use of organic methods to cultivate the vines.
• Prohibition of synthetic chemicals (pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers).
• Use of natural treatments to protect the vines (sulfur, copper, plant-based preparations).

Certification:

• The wine must obtain organic certification from an accredited organization (e.g., the “AB” label in Europe or “USDA Organic” in the USA).

Vinification:

• Reduction in the use of oenological additives, which must be organic.
• Limitation on the amount of added sulfites.

Biodynamic Wine

1. Agricultural Practices:
   • Use of all organic farming practices.
   • Application of biodynamic agricultural principles based on the theories of Rudolf Steiner.
   • Use of specific biodynamic preparations, such as horn manure (preparation 500) and horn silica (preparation 501).
   • Integration of lunar and cosmic cycles into vineyard work.
2. Certification:
   • Certification by specific biodynamic organizations like Demeter or Biodyvin.
3. Philosophy and Additional Practices:
   • A holistic approach where the farm is viewed as a living organism, with all elements (soil, plants, animals) interconnected.
   • Enhancing soil and plant vitality through specific biodynamic preparations.
   • Strict compost management and practices aimed at harmonizing natural forces.
4. Vinification:
   • Adherence to the same principles as organic vinification, with increased attention to the wine’s vitality and energy.
   • Often, an even lower use of sulfites and other oenological additives.

Summary:

• Organic Wine: Focuses on the prohibition of synthetic chemicals and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
• Biodynamic Wine: Goes beyond organic practices by integrating esoteric and holistic principles, considering lunar and cosmic cycles, and using specific preparations to enhance soil and plant vitality.

Biodynamic wines are often perceived as even more natural and in harmony with nature, although biodynamics is sometimes criticized for its more esoteric aspects.

Find all our organic and dynamic organic wines online delivery.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the proper functioning of the human body, particularly the brain, nervous system and retina. The main types of omega-3 include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), found in vegetable oils such as linseed, rapeseed, walnut and soya, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines.

Omega-3 fatty acids offer numerous health benefits: they lower blood pressure, reduce triglyceride levels in the blood and improve the health of the cardiovascular system. They also prevent age-related degenerative diseases such as macular degeneration and reduce the risk of depression and dementia (Anses). Recently, studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids improve the microbial diversity of the gut microbiota, promoting beneficial bacteria that can prevent diseases such as diabetes and obesity (Doctissimo).

To reap these benefits, it is recommended to regularly consume omega-3-rich foods while diversifying your diet to minimise the risks from harmful substances (Anses).