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Analysis of ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers in select organic and conventional foods in the United States

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 33, pages 778–786 (2023)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers impart flexibility to plastics in food production, processing, and packaging; food consumption is a dominant plasticizer exposure pathway. Lower molecular weight ortho-phthalates are being replaced in plastic products due to toxicity concerns, but toxic hazards of and exposures to replacement ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers are poorly understood.

Objective

We measured 12 ortho-phthalates and 9 other plasticizers in conventional and organic U.S. food products to assess magnitude and profiles of contamination.

Methods

We measured plasticizers in 34 vegetable oils, 10 milks, 18 infant formulas, and 9 cheese powders from macaroni kits using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). We analyzed plastic packaging composition using FTIR spectroscopy.

Results

We detected eight ortho-phthalates and three alternatives ((1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINCH), diethylhexyl terephthalate (DEHT), and diisobutyl adipate (DIBA). Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was measured in all 71 products. DEHT had the highest concentration of any plasticizer (>10,000 ng/g in three oils). Oils had the highest total plasticizer (median = 770 ng/g, max = 14,900 ng/g) and milk the lowest (median = 88 ng/g, max = 120 ng/g). Organic milk and refined oils had higher median plasticizer levels than conventional. Refined oils had significantly lower concentrations than unrefined oils. Maximum contributors for every category were non-ortho-phthalates: DEHT (powdered infant formula and oils) and DIBA (cheese powder, milk and liquid formula). Plasticizers were not detected in packaging except epoxidized soybean oil in liquid formula lids.

Impact Statement

Human exposure to plasticizers is a significant public health concern. Nevertheless, sources of such exposures are poorly characterized. This study adds valuable information for estimating legacy and alternative plasticizer exposures from foods. The method developed for measuring DINCH, DINP and DIDP broadens the range of plasticizers other researchers may analyze in future work. The profiles of plasticizer contamination varied depending on the food type. We also document that food processing may be a source of plasticizer contamination in foods.

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Fig. 1: Total Plasticizer values (on log scale) by category and certification.
Fig. 2: Concentrations of plasticizers (on log scale) in unrefined vs refined oils.

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Data availability

All data generated and analyzed for this study can be found in the supplementary spreadsheets S1, S3, S4, S5.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ecology Center research assistants Jocelyn Marchyok, Daniela Tapia, and Dominique Valentine for carrying out market research, sample management, and FTIR spectroscopy for this study. We thank our nonprofit partners Center for Food Safety, Healthy Babies Bright Futures, Learning Disabilities Association, Toxic Free Future, and WE ACT for Environmental Justice for collaborating on the study conception and sample selection.

Funding

This study was funded by the Passport Foundation, Forsythia Foundation, and Marisla Foundation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Defend Our Health, Portland, ME, 04101, USA

    Roopa Krithivasan & Michael Belliveau

  2. Ecology Center, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104, USA

    Gillian Zaharias Miller & Jeff Gearhart

  3. Department of Pediatrics, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016, USA

    Vimalkumar Krishnamoorthi & Sunmi Lee

  4. Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, 12201, USA

    Kurunthachalam Kannan

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  1. Roopa Krithivasan
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Contributions

RK carried out statistical analyses, literature research, and outlined and helped write the manuscript. GZM carried out FTIR data analyses, product label analyses, literature research, and helped write the manuscript. MB helped conceive of the study design and sample selection and provided feedback on the manuscript. JG helped conceive of the study design and sample selection and provided feedback on the manuscript. VK carried out sample preparation, GC/MS analysis, and data collection. SL carried out sample preparation, GC/MS analysis, and data collection. KK helped design the study, supervised the GC/MS analysis, advised on the data interpretation, and provided feedback on the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Roopa Krithivasan.

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Krithivasan, R., Miller, G.Z., Belliveau, M. et al. Analysis of ortho-phthalates and other plasticizers in select organic and conventional foods in the United States. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 33, 778–786 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-023-00596-0

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