Identification of intentionally and non-intentionally added substances in plastic packaging materials and their migration into food products

Abstract

Plastic materials are widely used in food packaging applications; however, there is increased concern because of the possible release of undesirable components into foodstuffs. Migration of plastic constituents not only has the potential to affect product quality but also constitutes a risk to consumer health. In order to check the safety of food contact materials, analytical methodologies to identify potential migrants are required. In the first part of this work, a GC/MS screening method was developed for the identification of components from plastic packaging materials including intentionally and "non-intentionally added substances" (NIAS) as potential migrants. In the second part of this study, the presence of seven compounds (bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC), benzophenone (BP)) previously identified in packaging materials were investigated in food products (corn and potatoes snacks, cookies, and cakes). For this purpose, a suitable extraction method was developed and quantification was performed using GC-MS. The developed method was validated in terms of linearity, recovery, repeatability, and limits of detection and quantification. The spiked recoveries varied between 82.7 and 116.1%, and relative standard deviation (RSD) was in the range of 2.22-15.9%. The plasticizer ATBC was the most detected compound (94% samples), followed by DEP (65%), DEHP (47%), BP (44%), DBP (35%), DIBP (21%), and BHT (12%). Regarding phthalates, DEP and DEHP were the most frequently detected compounds in concentrations up to 1.44 μg g. In some samples, only DBP exceeded the European SML of 0.3 mg kg established in Regulation 10/2011. Graphical abstract Chemical migration from plastic packaging into food.

GC-MS Screening for the Identification of Potential Migrants Present in Polymeric Coatings of Food Cans

“…Tributyl citrate, detected only in the sample TO1, is used as a plasticizer in inks, adhesives and coatings [16]. ATBC is the most widely used phthalate substitute plasticizer, and was detected in the samples ES, MA and MZ [17]. Butyl stearate, detected in the samples AA, AH and ME, is another type of plasticizer commonly used with low toxicity [18].…”

“…The photoinitiators benzophenone, detected in AN and MA extracts, and 4-phenylbenzophenone, detected in AN, are employed, among other applications, for printing inks cured by UV radiation applied to food contact materials, for coatings, adhesives, etc. [17,27,28]. They are not chemically bound to the polymeric structure, and consequently, they can easily migrate into food or beverage [29].…”

“…Other compounds identified were methyl hexadecanoate and methyl oleate, which are used as an intermediate for detergents, emulsifiers, stabilizers, resins, lubricants, plasticizers, and defoamer in food contact coatings [17,34]. Acetophenone was only detected in sample AN; this substance could be produced during the heat degradation of PET [41].…”

Estimation of Dietary Exposure to Contaminants Transferred from the Packaging in Fatty Dry Foods Based on Cereals

“…The growing concerns about the toxicity of phthalates have led to search other plasticizers. Some alternatives of PAE were detected in the packaging materials studied such as esters of bioderived citric acid (triethyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate and ATBC), which are mainly used as plasticizers in polymers such as PVC and cellulose acetate; phosphate esters (tributyl phosphate), which are used as a flame retardant and as a plasticizer in the manufacture of nitrocellulose, plastics, and vinyl resins intended to be in contact with food; sebacates (dibutyl sebacate), which exhibit good compatibility with PVC matrix and are principally used as plasticizers in film coatings [ 6 , 21 ]; and aconitate esters (tributyl aconitate), which protect PVC against negative effects of light and heat [ 21 , 22 ].…”

“…Isopropyl myristate is another plasticizer used for cellulosic, pigment dispersant and binder, which was detected in one sample (AS_01) [ 21 ]. Triacetin, also known as glycerol triacetate, was identified in three samples of snacks (AS_01, AS_02 and AS_04).…”