Phthalate and novel plasticizer concentrations in food items from U.S. fast food chains: a preliminary analysis

Abstract

Background Fast food consumption is associated with biomarkers of ortho-phthalates exposures. However, the chemical content of fast food is unknown; certain ortho-phthalates (i.e., di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)) have been phased out and replaced with other plasticizers (e.g., dioctyl terephthalate (DEHT)). Objective We conducted a preliminary study to examine ortho-phthalate and replacement plasticizer concentrations in foods and food handling gloves from U.S. fast food restaurants. Methods We obtained hamburgers, fries, chicken nuggets, chicken burritos, cheese pizza (n = 64 food samples) and gloves (n = 3) from restaurants and analyzed them for 11 chemicals using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Results We found DEHT at the highest concentrations in both foods (n = 19; median = 2510 µg/kg; max = 12,400 µg/kg) and gloves (n = 3; range: 28–37% by weight). We detected DnBP and DEHP in 81% and 70% of food samples, respectively. Median DEHT concentrations were significantly higher in burritos than hamburgers (6000 µg/kg vs. 2200 µg/kg; p < 0.0001); DEHT was not detected in fries. Cheese pizza had the lowest levels of most chemicals. Significance To our knowledge, these are the first measurements of DEHT in food. Our preliminary findings suggest that ortho-phthalates remain ubiquitous and replacement plasticizers may be abundant in fast food meals. Impact statement A selection of popular fast food items sampled in this study contain detectable levels of replacement plasticizers and concerning ortho-phthalates. In addition, food handling gloves contain replacement plasticizers, which may be a source of food contamination. These results, if confirmed, may inform individual and regulatory exposure reduction strategies.

A Children’s Health Perspective on Nano- and Microplastics

“…Families can also take steps by following the recommendations offered for other child-relevant contaminants, which we believe are likely also effective for reducing NMP exposures. These steps include reducing plastic contact of foods for children ( Edwards et al. 2021 ; Sessa et al.…”

“…Families can also take steps by following the recommendations offered for other child-relevant contaminants, which we believe are likely also effective for reducing NMP exposures. These steps include reducing plastic contact of foods for children (Edwards et al 2021;Sessa et al 2021;Trasande et al 2018), regular wetcleaning of the home (Rhoads et al 1999), and careful choice of safer personal care products and building materials (Giovanoulis et al 2019).…”

Translocation of Phthalates From Food Packaging Materials Into Minced Beef

“…The chicken meat samples roasted with spices in a plastic bag presented concentrations from 0.1 to 1.17 μg·kg −1 for DnBP. DnBP was the most frequently detected ortho-phthalate in USA fast food samples ( 39 ). It was detected in 81% of all food items in median concentrations of 2.4–4.8 μg·kg −1 .…”

Assessment of Exposure to Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP) Metabolites and Bisphenol A (BPA) and Its Importance for the Prevention of Cardiometabolic Diseases

“…The European Commission (EFSA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [81][82][83][84][85] have warned and restricted the use of Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in food packaging and personal care products, but they are still widely present in many consumer products [29,86]. Moreover, in December 2019 EPA designated DEHP as a High-Priority Substance and the chemical is currently undergoing risk evaluation.…”

“…The biomonitoring of these substances allows to understand the exposure to a given pollutant and lead to a regulation of these substances to limit damage to health and increase national health expenditure. Despite restrictions in the employment of DEHP and BPA and replacement by other plasticizers (e.g., dioctyl terephthalate, DEHT, bisphenol S and F), DEHP and BPA are still widely present in packaging and personal care products and they can also easily pass to food, as shown in a study that analyzed food samples taken from fast food restaurants finding DEHP and BPA in more than 70% samples [86]. Although mass spectrometry is the preferred method for the detection of environmental pollutants, the type of chromatographic method used may vary (i.e., gas or liquid chromatography).…”