Phthalate ester migration into food: effect of packaging material and time

Rapid industrialization exposes human more organic and inorganic pollutants. Phthalate esters are one of these man-made chemicals which penetrate into our lives in many ways. Packed food plays a decisive role in the determination of exposure to phthalate esters. Seafood samples packed in polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), tin can, and glass containers were monitored for 4 months to determine the time-dependent migration of phthalate esters (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIDP, and DNOP). DEHP was the most phthalate esters found in food samples. The highest DEHP value 830.30 ng/kg was recorded in pickled tunny bonito packed in PP on the 4th month. DEHP, DBP, and DINP were also recorded in PVC. The lowest determinations of phthalate esters were recorded in tin can. Unfortunately, all three packaging materials have an active role in the migration of phthalate esters into foodstuff. Migration increased with prolonged contact time with packaging material. Interestingly, the increased lipid content of foods packed in PP limited the migration of DEHP into food. High correlation between DEHP and extending contact time in PVC (0.998) and tin can containers (0.937) were recorded. No relationship was determined between pH level and phthalate ester content. DNOP and DIDP were not determined in any of the seafood samples. DEHP exposure in children recorded high levels in PP, followed by PVC and tin can. Although the legal limits have not been reached, other exposure factors and accumulation of these chemicals in the body should be considered.