Hladíková Z., Kejlová K., Sosnovcová J., Jírová D., Vavrouš A., Janoušek A., Syčová M., Špelina V. (2015): Microbial contamination of paper-based food contact materials with different contents of recycled fiber. Czech J. Food Sci., 33: 308-312.Recycled paper is commonly used in food packaging industry, especially for disposable products. The material coming into direct contact with food products must not represent a source of contamination for food in accordance with the Framework Regulation (EC) No. 1935 containing the general requirements on all food contact materials. In the present study, the microbial purity of 31 paper-based materials with different contents of recycled matter (0-100%) was evaluated using a standard method based on the disintegration of paper. The results of the present study indicate the existing relation between the use of recycled fibers and the content of microorganisms. The increased amount of recycled fibers significantly increased the amount of bacteria in the paper samples. The highest content of microorganisms was observed in the case of paper with the highest recycled fiber content. Total counts of bacteria ranged from 5.0 × 10 1 to 1.2 × 10 5 CFU/g. Moulds were detected only in three paper samples. As the microorganisms present in food packaging may penetrate into foodstuffs (particularly those with high contents of water or fat) and have an adverse effect on end-consumers' health, microbial criteria for food packaging should be included into the EU legislation.Keywords: bacteria; disposable materials; health safety; microbial purity; recycled paper Disposable paper-based materials such as boxes, bags, plates, cups, sacks, containers, and napkins have been used in food packaging for many years. The greatest benefit of these materials in comparison to plastic materials is their comparatively minimal impact on our environment and biodegradability. Cellulose and hemicellulose contained in papers and boards are fast biodegradable products, while lignin is biodegraded more slowly by microorganisms because of its structure. Adding cellulosic packaging to traditionally composted products may improve the compost structure while no negative or inhibitory effects on the plant germination and growth have been observed (Ottenio et al. 2004). Paper recycling represents another advantage, as cellulosic fibres can be used several times in the paper production.The recycled paper and paperboard products are made from used papers such as newspapers, magazines and milk cartons, pulped with water and also cleaned and deinked with surfactants (Ozaki et al. 2004). Food grade paper with different pulp percentages of the recycled matter is commonly used in direct contact with foods. Food contact materials, including recycled fiber-based paper, have to be in compliance with general safety principles set up in Article 3 of the Framework Regulation. This Article requires that food contact materials must not transfer their components into food in quantities 309Czech J. Food Sci., 33, 2015 (4): 30...

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Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are known to have harmful effects on the human endocrine system; special effort is actually given to the exposure during pregnancy. Humans are usually exposed to a mixture of EDs, which may potentiate or antagonize each other, and the combined effect may be difficult to estimate. The main phthalate monoesters monoethyl-, mono-n-butyl-, monoisobutyl-, monobenzyl-, mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-, mono-(2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl)- and mono-(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate were determined in 18 maternal (37th week of pregnancy) and cord plasma samples using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Previously determined levels of selected bisphenols, parabens and steroids were also considered in this study. In cord blood, there were significantly higher mono-n-butyl phthalate levels than in maternal blood (p=0.043). The results of multiple regression models showed that maternal plasma phthalates were negatively associated with cord plasma androstenedione, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone and positively associated with estradiol and estriol. For estriol, a cumulative association was also observed for Σbisphenols. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first pilot study evaluating the effect of prenatal exposure by multiple EDs on newborn steroidogenesis. Our results confirmed phthalate accumulation in the fetal area and disruption of fetal steroidogenesis. This preliminary study highlights the negative impacts of in utero EDs exposure on fetal steroidogenesis.