Release of N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances from baby bottle teats and rubber kitchen tools in Korea

Ensuring the safety of baby bottle teats and kitchen tools made from rubber is critical. Therefore, the migration of N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances from 30 teats and 45 kitchen tools to artificial saliva was analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The method was validated by assessing the limits of detection (0.46–3.87 μg/kg), limits of quantification (1.38–11.73 μg/kg), and recoveries (86.3–108.6%) of seven compounds. Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosopiperidine, and N-nitrosomorpholine (NMOR) migrated from baby bottle teats at concentrations of not detected (ND) to 3.67 μg/kg. NDMA and NMOR concentrations ranged from ND to 1.72 μg/kg after migration from 45 rubber kitchen tools. N-nitrosatable substances ranged from ND to 42.16 μg/kg after migration from baby bottle teats but did not migrate from rubber kitchen tools. All tested products were considered safe for use, as N-nitrosamine and N-nitrosatable substance levels did not exceed the permitted management specifications.