Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution, or BSTI, has announced plans to verify reported microplastics in toothpaste and take action based on the findings. The agency made the announcement in a Tuesday press release after research conducted by Environment and Social Development Organization reported the presence of microplastics in toothpaste. The report was published on July 28, 2026.

BSTI said microplastics are plastic particles measuring 5 millimetres or less and are generally not visible to the naked eye. It cited the World Health Organization’s view that microplastics are an emerging environmental and health concern whose health risks remain under research. Bangladesh’s toothpaste standard lists 81 permitted production ingredients, and microplastics are not listed, although the standard has no direct prohibition on their use.

The agency has sought full research data and testing methods from the research institution and is collecting information on raw materials, ingredients and synthetic polymers from manufacturers and importers. BSTI will collect samples from markets and factories for retesting at recognised domestic or foreign laboratories. It said legal action will follow if tests prove a product fails Bangladesh standards or uses unauthorised ingredients.