A Survey of Plasticizer Migration into Foods.

A survey of 184 samples of food packaged in a range of plastics was carried out to assess the incidence of plasticizer migration into foods. Food samples were screened for the plasticizers di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and diisooctyl phthalate (DIOP) using gas chromatography. Only samples in contact with poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) films were found to contain a detectable amount of DEHA. Of the 98 samples wrapped in PVC films, 44 (45%) showed levels of migration exceeding 30 mg/kg. In particular, significant quantities of DEHA were observed in cheeses which had been wrapped at the point of sale. DEHA was detected in 36 out of 38 samples (95%) of cheese wrapped in PVC film, with levels ranging from 31 to 429 mg/kg. Fresh meats packaged in PVC film gave positive results in 5 of the 42 samples analyzed (12%), with levels ranging from 49 to 151 mg/kg. Migration of DEHA into other foods such as sandwiches was also observed, while some food types, such as frozen chicken, showed no detectable migration.