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Common contaminants

Common contaminants of plastic food packaging materials

Note: This article was written in 2012. While the content remains relevant, it may not reflect all of the latest scientific research and regulations. Please check our extensive news coverage for updates or ask our Chatbot to summarize the latest related information.

Food Packaging Food Contact Material* Typical Migrants Typical uses
Plastic Foil PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
  • Formaldehyde [1]
  • Acetaldehyde [1]
  • Antimony [2]
  • UV Stabilizers [3]
  • Polybrominated Dimethylesters (PBDE) [4]
 Joghurt cup lids
PE
  • Polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH) [5]
  • Nonylphenol [6]
Freezer bags, frozen  poultry and ham bags, prepackaged fresh produce, food storage containers [7][8]
PVC Shrink foil, shrink foil prepackaged meat, cheese, fruit and vegetables [8]
HDPE
  • Antimony [4]
  • Polybrominated Dimethylesters (PBDE) [11]
Milk, dairy products [8]
Cellulose Meat packaging [8]
Plastic bottle PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
  • Formaldehyde [1]
  • Acetaldehyde [1]
  • Antimony [4][15]
  • UV Stabilizers [3]
  • Adipates [16]
  • Phthalates [16]
  • Polybrominated Dimethylesters (PBDE) [4]
Soft drinks, CSD** (single use) [8]
PC (polycarbonate) Repeated use water bottles, baby feeding bottles [14]
PVC (polyvinylchloride) Water and soft drink bottles (single use) [14]
Plastic trays and inserts PVC (polyvinylchloride) Chocolate box  inserts, food trays, biscuit tins [14]
PS (polystyrene)
  • Styrene [20] (found for cups)
  • Styrene trimers [21]
  • Polybrominated dimethylesters (PBDE) [4]
Yoghurt, dairy product, honey, syrup and ice cream, marmalade and jam tubs and containers;trays for prepackaged meat and fruit [14]
Plastic trays(oven proof) PET (polyethylene terephthalate) Oven proof or microwavable food
Plastic cups PP (polypropylene)
  • Polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH) [5]
  • Erucamide, oleamide [7]
  • Antioxidants [7]
  • Phthalates [7]
PS (Polystyrene)
  • Styrene [20]
  • Styrene trimers [21]
  • Polybrominated dimethylesters PBDE [4]
Vending cups [14]
Plastic pouches Aluminium
  • Aluminium [8]
PP (polypropylene)
  • Polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH) [5]
  • Erucamide, oleamide [7]
  • Antioxidants [7]
Crisps, biscuits, snack foods, sugar,grains and vegetables [14]
PET Boil in the bag food [8]

*Layer in direct contact with food
** carbonated soft drinks

 

References

[1] Mutsuga, M., et al., Survey of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and oligomers in polyethylene terephthalate food-packaging materials. Food Addit Contam, 2005. 22(8):783-789.

[2] Andra, S.S. and K.C. Makris, Thyroid Disrupting Chemicals in Plastic Additives and Thyroid Health. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part C, 2012. 30(2):107-151.

[3] Begley, T.H., et al., Migration of a UV stabilizer from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into food simulants. Food Addit Contam, 2004. 21(10):1007-1014.

[4] Andra, S.S., et al., Co-leaching of brominated compounds and antimony from bottled water.Environment International, 2012. 38(1):45-53.

[5] Biedermann-Brem, S., et al., Migration of polyolefin oligomeric saturated hydrocarbons (POSH) into food. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, 2012. 29(3):449-460.

[6] Alfirevic, M., et al., Presence of nonylphenols in plastic films and their migration into food simulants. Acta Chimica Slovenica, 2011. 58(1):127-133.

[7] Kawamura, Y., et al., Determination of additives in food contact polypropylene. Journal of the Food Hygienic Society of Japan, 2000. 41(2):154-161.

[8] Crompton, T.R., Additive migration from plastics into foods. A guide for analytical chemists2007, Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, UK: Smithers Rapra Technology Limited

[9] Benfenati, E., et al., Migration of vinyl chloride into PVC-bottled drinking-water assessed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Food Chem Toxicol, 1991. 29(2):131-134.

[10] Papaspyrou, S.D., et al., Determination of migration of n-butyltins and n-octyltins to food simulants by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Appl Organometal Chem, 2007. 21:412–424.

[11] Goulas, A.E., A. Kokkinos, and M.G. Kontominas, Effect of gamma-radiation on migration behaviour of dioctyladipate and acetyltributylcitrate plasticizers from food-grade PVC and PVDC/PVC films into olive oil. Z Lebensm Unters Forsch, 1995. 201(1):74-78.

[12] Petersen, J.H. and L.K. Jensen, Phthalates and food-contact materials: enforcing the 2008 European Union plastics legislation. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, 2010. 27(11):1608-1616.

[13] Votavova, L., et al., Migration of Nonylphenols from Polymer Packaging Materials into Food Simulants. Czech Journal of Food Sciences, 2009. 27(4):293-299.

[14] Sendón García, R., et al., Revision of analytical strategies to evaluate different migrants from food packaging materials. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 2006. 17(7):354-366.

[15] Bach, C., et al., Chemical compounds and toxicological assessments of drinking water stored in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles: A source of controversy reviewed. Water Res, 2012. 46(3):571-583.

[16] Schmid, P., et al., Does the reuse of PET bottles during solar water disinfection pose a health risk due to the migration of plasticisers and other chemicals into the water? Water Res, 2008. 42(20):5054-5060.

[17] Guart, A., et al., Migration of plasticizers phthalates, bisphenol A and alkylphenols from plastic containers and evaluation of risk. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A: Chemistry, Analysis, Control, Exposure & Risk Assessment, 2011. 28(5):676-685.

[18] Bradley, E., Nonylphenol in food contact plastics and migration into foods, F.S. Agency, Editor 2010

[19] Inoue, K., et al., Migration of 4-nonylphenol from polyvinyl chloride food packaging films into food simulants and foods. Food Addit Contam, 2001. 18(2):157-164.

[20] Ahmad, M. and A.S. Bajahlan, Leaching of styrene and other aromatic compounds in drinking water from PS bottles. J Environ Sci (China), 2007. 19(4):421-426.

[21] Choi, J.O., et al., Migration of styrene monomer, dimers and trimers from polystyrene to food simulants. Food Addit Contam, 2005. 22(7):693-699.

References optional

Dossier

For this topic Food Packaging Forum has prepared an in-depth dossier.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.33520
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