Container-derived contamination of maple sirup with methyl methacrylate, toluene, and styrene as determined by headspace gas-liquid chromatography.

Samples of maple sirup and associated plastic packaging were examined for the presence of methyl methacrylate, toluene, and styrene by a head space gas chromatographic procedure. The volatile components common to the sirup and the plastic container were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The quantities of these contaminants in the sirup were determined at ppb levels by the standard additions technique and repetitive headspace analysis.