A bulletin for the Australian Food Industry September 1996
Contents: Salmonella: more unusual incidents | Ciguatera poisoning | Phthalates in foods | Ozone treatment of mineral water | Effective sanitation programs | Thermal processing of foods | Transfer of allergens in genetic manipulation of foods | National food hygiene standards
Phthalates in foods
Phthalic acid esters commonly known as phthalates are widely used in industry. They were once common as plasticisers for cling wrap films but have now been displaced by alternatives including adipates, especially bis 2-ethylhexyl adipate (DEHA). The use of phthalates in food packaging is now limited principally to the manufacture of adhesives and printing inks.
Concern has been raised that two phthalates, butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP) and di n-butyl phthalate (DBP), appear to have weak oestrogenic activity in vitro. This means that in laboratory experiments not involving animal studies, they have some of the same effects as the natural hormone, oestradiol. Phthalates have been used as plasticisers not only in cling wrap but also in household and consumer goods, in adhesives and in printing inks. They are relatively resistant to degradation. As a result, phthalates are now widely distributed in the environment and may be found at a low levels in foods.
In March of this year the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food in the United Kingdom published a food surveillance information sheet on phthalates in baby milk formulae in the UK and concluded that "dietary intakes of individual phthalates by infants consuming these formulae are well below tolerable daily intakes (TDI) where these have been set." The Ministry was referring to TDI values set by the European Union's Scientific Committee for Food.
Recent work at FSA Sydney laboratory has revealed phthalate levels in wrapped breads comparable with those reported in the UK study. Work is continuing on refining the method used to extract phthalates and similar materials from foods for analysis.
For further information on phthalates
Contact: Dr. Peter Varelis
Sydney Laboratory, Food Science Australia
Phone 02 9490 8459, Fax 02 9490 8499
Food Science Australia
PO Box 52, North Ryde 1670. Tel +61 2 9490 8397 Fax +61 2 9490 8499
Email enquiries@csiro.au