Translocation of Phthalates From Food Packaging Materials Into Minced Beef

Abstract

There has been increased concern regarding the potential human health risks associated with exposure to phthalates. Research indicates that food intake is the most critical exposure pathway for phthalates. This study aimed to investigate packaged beef samples for the presence of dimethyl terephthalate (DMTP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), and diisooctyl phthalate (DiOP) and to assess their translocation from the common form of food packaging procured from various Saint-Petersburg and Leningrad region shops. The packaging samples include paper and different types of plastic. Phthalates were extracted by dichloromethane and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). While DnBP had the highest mean values in beef from 34.5 to 378.5 μg·kg−1, DiOP displayed the lowest mean values from LOD to 37 μg·kg−1. The larger contact area and the presence of distributed fat on the surface of the minced meat resulted in significantly higher phthalate translocation than beef slices. Further, DMTP was not detected in any samples. However, the examined food packages do not meet the requirements of Russian, EU and USA legislation, as DnBP migrates to meat. Calculated maximum DnBP daily intake of 0.167 μg·kg−1·day−1 for chilled minced beef in vacuum packaging did not exceed tolerable daily intake (TDI) level. The most alarming results are concerning the phthalates presence in beef farmed in the Leningrad region and not subjected to any plastic packaging. A full-scale study is warranted to determine the pathways and sources of phthalates migration in the food chain.

Effects of Packaging Material Type, Storage Time and Lipid Content on Phthalate Migration in Smoked Fish Meat

“…An increasing amount of research deals with the impact of plastic packaging on food and their interactions [7,[21][22][23][24][25][26]. One of the reasons why phthalates are easily released and end up in contact environments is that they are physically, not covalently, bound to a polymer chain [27].…”

Innovative Packaging Strategies for Freshness and Safety of Food Products: A Review

“…The rise and development of biodegradable food-grade polymers are primarily due to the adverse migration effect of the use of plastic in food packaging. The plastic films used in the packaging of strip loin cuts of beef were studied by Baranenko et al [158]. The general contents in the films considered included diisooctyl phthalate, dimethyl terephthalate and di-n-butyl terephthalate.…”

“…The plastic films used in the packaging of strip loin cuts of beef were studied by Baranenko et al. [158]. The general contents in the films considered included diisooctyl phthalate, dimethyl terephthalate and di‐n‐butyl terephthalate.…”

Occurrence of phthalates in different food matrices: A systematic review of the main sources of contamination and potential risks

“…They are usually added to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chrolide (PVC), polyvinyl acetate (PVA), and polyethylene (PE), at the percentage of 10% ‐ 60% of PAEs by weight (Giuliani et al, 2020). Addionally, they are used to produce lacquers and printing inks as additives to improve the surface adhesion, flexibility, color, elasticity, and wrinkle resistance to manufacturing adhesives, solvents, waxes, pharmaceuticals, and packaging from regenerated cellusose (Baranenko et al., 2022). For example, the diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP) is applied in printing inks and lacquers to ameliorate surface adhesiveness and decrease roughness (Fierens et al., 2013; Fierens, Servaes, et al., 2012; Fierens, Vanermen, et al., 2012; Moreira et al., 2015).…”