Testing the influence of various conditions on the migration of epoxidised soybean oil from polyvinylchloride gaskets

Epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) is widely used as a plasticiser and stabiliser mainly in food contact materials on the base of polyvinylchloride (PVC), especially in the gaskets of jar lids. PVC gaskets containing 10–37% of ESBO were prepared by the baking of PVC plastisols at various process temperatures (180–240°C) in the laboratory. ESBO migration into olive oil and 3% acetic acid was studied at various temperatures (4°C, 25°C, 40°C and 60°C) during a storage time up to 12 months. ESBO released into food simulants was transmethylated, derivatised and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The effect of food processing, i.e. pasteurisation (80°C and 100°C) and sterilisation (125°C) on ESBO migration was also evaluated. The results were critically assessed with respect to the test conditions of specific migration in accordance with the current European Union legislation (Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011). The levels of ESBO migration found confirmed that the test conditions (i.e. 40°C or 60°C, 10 days) representing contact in the worst foreseeable use scenario seem to be insufficient for the simulation of ESBO migration during long-term storage and thus do not provide satisfactory objective results.     

Epoxidized soy bean oil (ESBO) migrating from the gaskets of lids into food packed in glass jars

Epoxidized soy bean oil (ESBO) was determined in foods packed in glass jars closed by lids with a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) gasket. The methyl ester of a diepoxy linoleic acid isomer was measured, using transesterification directly in the homogenized food and on-line HPLC-GC-FID analysis. Infant foods from the Swiss market consisting of vegetables, potato and rice or muesli with fruits and berries contained less than 7 mg/kg ESBO, but meat (its fat?) strongly increased ESBO migration up to 86 mg/kg. Some 12% of the products exceeded 15 mg/kg. Austrian and Norwegian samples gave similar results. Edible oil strongly extracts the ESBO from the gasket in food contact within a few weeks. Since this part of the gasket on average contained 91 mg ESBO, the legal limit is likely to be far exceeded whenever the food contains free oil contacting the gasket, such as oily sauces or vegetables and fish in oil. In fact, the mean ESBO concentration in 86 samples was 166 mg/kg, with a maximum of 580 mg/kg.     

Migration of epoxidised soybean oil from PVC gaskets of commercial lids: simulation of migration under various conditions and screening of food products from Czech markets

Previous studies have shown that a large number of polyvinylchloride (PVC) lid gaskets exceed the existing migration limits for epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) and correct prediction of ESBO release into food therefore appears to be a difficult issue. ESBO migration from PVC gaskets of metal closures into food simulants and food products from the Czech market is evaluated during a survey in 2009 and subsequently one in 2012 to assess progress in lid manufacturing and official testing conditions. ESBO migration from lids into various food simulants was studied at various temperatures (25, 40 and 60°C) during storage times up to 12 months. ESBO released into food simulants or food products was transmethylated, derivatised and analysed by GC-MS. The levels of ESBO migration in foodstuffs in 2012 exceeded the specific migration limit (SML) in fewer products in comparison with the previous survey. However, most of the products were analysed at a time far from the expiry date and exceedance of the SML at the end of the product shelf life is not therefore excluded. More severe test conditions (60°C for 10 days) for specific migration given by the current European Union legislation (Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011) still seem to be insufficient for the simulation of ESBO migration during long-term storage.     

聚氯乙烯密封圈中环氧大豆油向食品中的迁移及其风险评估

目的研究带聚氯乙烯(polyvinyl chloride,PVC)密封圈的玻璃罐装食品中的环氧大豆油(epoxidized soybean oil,ESBO)的迁移规律,并对其进行风险评估。方法对112种带聚氯乙烯密封圈的玻璃罐装食品中的ESBO进行定量检测,计算其估计摄入量(estimated intake,ETI),同时对ESBO进行Cramer分类,并用毒理学关注阈值(threshold of toxicological concern,TTC)对其进行风险评估。结果调味酱中ESBO的含量最高,平均含量为4.58~263.50 mg/kg,其中14.63%超过了EU 10/2011限量要求;腌制果蔬中为5.04~13.78 mg/kg;油浸鱼中为0.05~15.31 mg/kg;而果酱、果汁等水基食品、咖啡等仅含有极少量的ESBO;ESBO的迁移受到脂肪含量、食品接触形式、储放时间等多种因素的影响。所测食品中ESBO的EDI有5.36%超过日耐受量(tolerable dailyintake,TDI)值;ESBO在Cramer分类中为ClassⅢ,其对应的阈值为0.09 mg/d,有74.11%的样品超过对应的阈值。结论相对于欧盟的限量要求,TTC法对ESBO的评估更加严格,ESBO存在较大的风险,需要进行更详细的安全评估。     

Investigation of the primary plasticisers present in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products currently authorised as food contact materials

PVC is a common food contact material that is usually plasticised to increase its flexibility. Phthalates are one class of chemical compounds that are often used as plasticisers in PVC in a wide range of industries. They may be used in packaging materials for foods and can also be found in components of certain food processing equipment such as conveyor belts and tubing. Transfer of plasticisers from packaging to foods can occur. In recent years, there has been increased interest in understanding the health effects of phthalates, as well as the possible human exposure levels. However, there is limited information available about the routes of exposure to phthalates. In July 2014, the Chronic Hazard Advisory Panel (CHAP) produced a report for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission detailing the potential health hazards of phthalates and phthalate alternatives. This report listed diet as one factor contributing greater than or equal to 10% of total phthalate exposure. As a result of this report, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is interested in determining the types of the primary plasticiser present in food packaging and processing materials as well as their concentrations. An investigation was conducted of 56 different samples of PVC food packaging and food processing materials available in the US market using a solvent extraction and GC-MS analysis. Nine different plasticisers including three phthalates, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, diisononyl phthalate and diisodecyl phthalate, were identified in the products tested. The plasticiser concentrations ranged from 1 to 53% depending on the types of food contact materials and the type of plasticiser. Overall, it appears that manufacturers are switching away from phthalates as their primary plasticiser to alternate compounds such as ESBO, ATBC, DEHT, DINCH, DEHA and DINA.     

进口婴幼儿食品中环氧大豆油的检测以及筛查

目的 建立适用于食品中环氧大豆油的检测方法, 对进口婴儿食品的环氧大豆油污染情况进行筛查。方法 采用气相色谱/质谱(GC-MS)法对进口婴儿食品中ESBO的迁移量进行分析检测及定量筛查。结果 共对13种(57个)来自于5个欧盟成员国的婴儿食品进行筛查。其中6类食品的ESBO含量超过了欧盟儿童食品ESBO的规定限量(30 mg/kg), 蔬菜鸭肉泥和意面蔬菜牛肉泥的迁移量分别高达55.3 mg/kg和52.3 mg/kg。结论 从检测和筛查结果看出, 脂肪含量高的婴儿食品ESBO的迁移量相对较高。     

Determination of epoxidized soybean oil and linseed oil in wrapping film and cap sealing

A determination method was developed for epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) and epoxidized linseed oil (ELO), which are used as plasticizers and/or stabilizers, in wrapping film and cap sealings. The ESBO method reported by Castle et al. was improved. Samples were extracted with acetone-hexane (3: 7), transmethylated under alkaline conditions, then derivatized to the 1,3-dioxolanes and analyzed by GC/MS. The recoveries of spiked ESBO and ELO were between 92.6% and 104.4%. The determination limits were 0.01 mg/g for ESBO and 0.02 mg/g for ELO in the wrapping film, and 0.04 mg/g and 0.08 mg/g in the cap sealing. ESBO and ELO were surveyed in 10 samples each of wrapping film and cap sealings currently available on the Japanese market. ESBO was found at 34.7-82.8 mg/g in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) wrapping films and at 5.47-399 mg/g in cap sealings. ELO was detected at 8.6-11.4 mg/g in polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) wrapping films, and at 46.4 mg/g in a PVC wrapping film.     

植物油种类对聚氯乙烯中环氧大豆油迁移的影响研究

目的 为探究植物油种类对聚氯乙烯(PVC)中环氧大豆油(ESBO)迁移的影响。方法 本文利用气相色谱-质谱联用法对PVC中ESBO向不同植物油中的迁移量进行表征。结果 该方法对所研究的植物油都适用,并可对5 mg/kg - 100 mg/kg浓度范围内的ESBO进行准确定量,平均回收率在93.0% - 107.3%之间,相对标准偏差(RSD%)为1.0% - 6.6%。迁移试验结果显示,ESBO在不同植物油中的迁移趋势相同,即为当迁移时间相同时,迁移量随着迁移温度的增加而增加;迁移温度相同时,迁移量随着迁移时间的增加先增大后达到平衡。当迁移温度为20 _^oC和40 _^oC时,达到迁移平衡需要15天左右;当迁移温度为60 _^oC时,达到迁移平衡需要20天左右。从迁移量数值上来看,ESBO在橄榄油中的迁移能力较椰子油中的小,但是与玉米油、芝麻油、菜籽油和大豆油中的相当。结论 除了迁移试验温度和时间外,植物油种类对ESBO的迁移也有着重要影响,以橄榄油为食品模拟物并不能完全代表ESBO在其他植物油中的迁移。     

Addendum to Food Additives and Contaminants 2002, 19, 492-501 Migration of monomers from liquid crystalline poly( p -hydroxybenzoic acid-co-2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid)

Liquid-crystalline co-polyesters (e.g. a random copolyester based on p -hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) and 2-hydroxy-6-naphthoic acid (HNA) known as Vectra A950) offer good barrier properties, but for food-contact use they require overall and specific migration testing. For Vectra A950 films, the highest overall migration level obtained was 2.3 mg dm -2 (13.8 mg kg -1 ) in olive oil (10 days at 40°C), well below the EC limit of 10 mg dm -2 (60 mg kg -1 ). The highest specific migration of HBA was 15.2 μg dm -2 (91.2 μg kg -1 ) in olive oil (2 h at 175°C). In this case, the migration level was well below the EC limit of 10 mg dm -2 (60 mg kg -1 ). For HNA, the highest value obtained was 4.3 μg dm -2 (26 μg kg -1 ) in 10% ethanol (4 h at 100°C), well below the specific migration limit (SML = 50 μg kg -1 ). The results obtained shows that even at these severe conditions, the migration values comply with the new European Union Directive 2002/72/EC, which regulates plastic materials and articles for food contact use. In addition, the polymer Vectra A950 complies with Food Contact Notification (FCN) No. 103 of the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Vectra A950 is therefore permitted for food-contact use both in the European Union and the USA.     

Effect of ionising radiation treatment on the specific migration characteristics of packaging-food simulant combinations: effect of type and dose of radiation

Migration levels of acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) plasticiser from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film into the European Union specified aqueous food simulants (distilled water, 3% w/v acetic acid and 10% v/v ethanol) were monitored as a function of time. Migration testing was carried out at 40°C for 10 days. Determination of the analyte was performed by applying an analytical methodology based on surfactant (Triton X-114) mediated extraction prior to gas chromatographic-flame ionisation detection. PVC cling film used was subjected to ionising treatment with a [(60)Co] source, as well as to electron-beam irradiation at doses equal to 5, 15 and 25 kGy, with the aim to compare the effect of type and dose of radiation on the specific migration behaviour of PVC. Equilibrium concentrations of acetyl tributyl citrate into the aqueous solvents covered the ranges 173-422 μg l(-1) and 296-513 μg l(-1) for gamma- and electron-irradiated PVC, respectively. Hence, e-beam irradiation resulted in significantly higher ATBC migration compared with gamma treatment. The highest extraction efficiency of the 10% ethanol solution was common in both gamma and e-beam treatments; distilled water demonstrated the lowest migration. Gamma-irradiation at intermediate doses up to 5 kGy produced no statistically significant (p > 0.05) effect on ATBC migration into all three aqueous simulants; however, this does not apply for high-energy electrons. Both ionising treatments were similar in that they resulted in statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences in plasticiser migrating amounts between non-irradiated and irradiated at doses of 15 and 25 kGy samples. Gamma-radiation did not affect the kinetics of plasticiser migration. On the contrary, electron-beam radiation produced shorter equilibration times for all food-simulating solvents tested at 40°C. The above values regarding ATBC migration into aqueous food simulants are far below the European Union restriction (1 mg kg(-1) body weight) for both types of ionising radiation. Thus, PVC cling film may be used in food irradiation applications in contact with aqueous foodstuffs.     

Potential dietary exposure to p -nonylphenol from food-contact use of tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite (TNPP)

The potential exposure to p -nonylphenol from the use of tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite (TNPP) in food-contact materials was calculated. The calculation was made on the basis of migration data from moulded plaques prepared from linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), films prepared from LLDPE and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films. The data were obtained using the customary experimental procedures developed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The potential migration of p -nonylphenol to food from the use of TNPP as a component of food-contact articles was determined using food-simulating solvents and time and temperature conditions recommended by the FDA. Using the data obtained from these studies, along with procedures based on the FDA's conventional method for estimating potential dietary exposure using food simulating migration data, the potential dietary exposure to p -nonylphenol from the use of TNPP was determined to be ~ 25.5 parts per billion (ppb). Because the conditions of the migration tests exaggerate actual use conditions, this value overstates the potential dietary exposure.     

Determination of epoxidized soybean oil in bottled foods

A determination method for epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) in bottled foods was developed and used to survey bottled foods on the Japanese market. The amount of sample required was decreased to 20 g and the standard addition method was adopted for the quantification, because lipid in foods interrupted the hydrolysis of ESBO. The recoveries were 87.1 and 98.9% and the determination limit was 5.0 microg/g for a 20 g sample, be cause lipid in foods interupted the hydrolysis of ESBO. The recoveries using the internal standard method varied widely, because hydrolysis of the internal standard, cis-11,14-eicosadienoic acid ethyl ester, was affected more than that of ESBO by coexisting lipid in the sample. ESBO was not detected in any of the bottled baby food samples examined (14 samples), though it had been frequently detected in previous European surveys. This difference may be related to the low fat content and low fluidity of the bottled baby foods retailed in Japan. On the other hand, ESBO was detected at levels of 25.7-494.0 microg/g in liver paste, pasta sauce, Sungan in spicy oil, and spicy oil. These foods had higher fat content and higher fluidity. However, ESBO intake from these foods appears unlikely to exceed the TDI in the EU (1 mg/kg bw/day).     

Estimated US infant exposures to 3-MCPD esters and glycidyl esters from consumption of infant formula

A dietary exposure assessment was conducted for 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters (3-MCPDE) and glycidyl esters (GE) in infant formulas available for consumption in the United States. 3-MCPDE and GE are food contaminants generated during the deodorisation of refined edible oils, which are used in infant formulas and other foods. 3-MCPDE and GE are of potential toxicological concern because these compounds are metabolised to free 3-MCPD and free glycidol in rodents and may have the same metabolic fate in humans. Free 3-MCPD and free glycidol have been found to cause adverse effects in rodents. Dietary exposures to 3-MCPDE and GE from consumption of infant formulas are of particular interest because formulas are the sole or primary food source for some infants. In this analysis, US Food and Drug Administration data on 3-MCPDE and GE concentrations (as 3-MCPD and glycidol equivalents, respectively) in a small convenience sample of infant formulas were used to estimate exposures from consumption of formula by infants 0–6 months of age. 3-MCPDE and GE exposures based on mean concentrations in all formulas were estimated at 7–10 and 2 µg/kg bw/day, respectively. Estimated mean exposures from consumption of formulas produced by individual manufacturers ranged from 1 to 14 µg/kg bw/day for 3-MCPDE and from 1 to 3 µg/kg for GE.     

Estimation of long-term dietary exposure to acrylamide of the Japanese people

Acrylamide is a probable human carcinogen and known human neurotoxin. This study estimated hypothetical long-term dietary exposure to acrylamide of the Japanese people using probabilistic and deterministic approaches by combining the concentration of acrylamide in foods with the amount and frequency of food consumption in the population. Data included acrylamide concentrations in more than 2400 individual food samples from a national survey and the literature from 2004 to 2013. Food consumption amounts were derived from the data of 24,293 Japanese citizens aged 1 year and older in the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey. Median lifetime average dietary exposure to acrylamide was estimated as 147–154 ng/kg body weight (bw)/day (95th percentile, 226–261 ng/kg bw/day). The deterministic estimate of lifetime exposure was 158 ng/kg bw/day and ranged from 119 ng/kg bw/day for the period of life after 60 years old to 409 ng/kg bw/day for the period between 1 and 6 years old. This study found that vegetables cooked at a high temperature, coffee and cooked potato were the major food groups contributing to long-term dietary acrylamide exposure of the Japanese people.     

Aluminium in food and daily dietary intake assessment from 15 food groups in Zhejiang Province,China

Aluminium was measured in 2580 samples of 15 food groups and dietary exposure was estimated. Samples were purchased and analysed during 2010 to 2014. High aluminium levels were found in jellyfish (mean 4862 mg/kg), laver (mean 455.2 mg/kg) and fried twisted cruller (mean 392.4 mg/kg). Dietary exposure to aluminium was estimated for Zhejiang residents. The average dietary exposure to aluminium via 15 food groups in Zhejiang Province was 1.15 mg/kg bw/week, which is below the provisional tolerable weekly intake of 2 mg/kg bw /week. Jellyfish is the main Al contributor, providing 37.6% of the daily intake via these 15 food groups. This study provided new information on aluminium levels and assessment of aluminium (Al) dietary exposure in Zhejiang Province of China.     

Migration of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) and phthalates from twist closures into food and enforcement of the overall migration limit.

Nineteen samples of food in glass jars with twist closures were collected by the national food inspectors at Danish food producers and a few importers, focusing on fatty food, such as vegetables in oil, herring in dressing or pickle, soft spreadable cheese, cream, dressings, peanut butter, sauces and infant food. The composition of the plasticizers in the gaskets was analysed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) and phthalates were determined in the homogenized food samples. ESBO was the principal plasticizer in five of the gaskets; in 14 it was phthalates. ESBO was found in seven of the food samples at concentrations from 6 to 100 mg kg(-1). The highest levels (91-100 mg kg(-1)) were in oily foods such as garlic, chilli or olives in oil. Phthalates, i.e. di-iso-decylphthalate (DIDP) and di-iso-nonylphthalates (DINP), were found in seven samples at 6-173 mg kg(-1). The highest concentrations (99-173 mg kg(-1)) were in products of garlic and tomatoes in oil and in fatty food products such as sauce béarnaise and peanut butter. For five of the samples the overall migration from unused lids to the official fatty food simulant olive oil was determined and compared with the legal limit of 60 mg kg(-1). The results ranged from 76 to 519 mg kg(-1) and as a consequence the products were withdrawn from the market.     

Migration of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) and phthalates from twist closures into food and enforcement of the overall migration limit

Nineteen samples of food in glass jars with twist closures were collected by the national food inspectors at Danish food producers and a few importers, focusing on fatty food, such as vegetables in oil, herring in dressing or pickle, soft spreadable cheese, cream, dressings, peanut butter, sauces and infant food. The composition of the plasticizers in the gaskets was analysed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO) and phthalates were determined in the homogenized food samples. ESBO was the principal plasticizer in five of the gaskets; in 14 it was phthalates. ESBO was found in seven of the food samples at concentrations from 6 to 100 mg kg(-1). The highest levels (91-100 mg kg(-1)) were in oily foods such as garlic, chilli or olives in oil. Phthalates, i.e. di-iso-decylphthalate (DIDP) and di-iso-nonylphthalates (DINP), were found in seven samples at 6-173 mg kg(-1). The highest concentrations (99-173 mg kg(-1)) were in products of garlic and tomatoes in oil and in fatty food products such as sauce béarnaise and peanut butter. For five of the samples the overall migration from unused lids to the official fatty food simulant olive oil was determined and compared with the legal limit of 60 mg kg(-1). The results ranged from 76 to 519 mg kg(-1) and as a consequence the products were withdrawn from the market.     

Lead and cadmium in foods/drinking water from Slovenian market/taps: Estimation of overall chronic dietary exposure and health risks

ABSTRACT

Approximately 3000 food samples from the Slovenian market and 2500 drinking (tap) water samples in the period 2011 ? 2016 were evaluated for the presence of toxic elements lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) and the overall chronic dietary exposure was assessed for each element. The highest mean concentrations were found for Pb in products for special nutritional use – dietary supplements (0.383 mg/kg) and for Cd in fish and seafood (0.117 mg/kg). The consumption data were obtained from the national study of the household budget and from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) summary statistics. Chronic dietary exposure was estimated deterministically. The average Pb and Cd intakes from food and drinking (tap) water ranged for children from 0.90 to 1.021 µg/kg bw/day and 4.65 to 5.65 µg/kg bw/week, respectively, and for adults, including adolescents, from 0.40 to 0.53 µg/kg bw/day and 1.98 to 2.82 µg/kg bw/week, respectively. The high consumption of cereal-based foods and vegetables contributed most to overall Pb and Cd intake in the majority of the age groups. The exposure to Pb was generally lower and that to Cd was higher compared to the average EU values. The most exposed were children, as the health-based guidance values were exceeded for both elements, which indicates a health concern. An important contribution to Cd exposure can be attributed to grains and potatoes grown in Slovenia, where the soil contains more Cd than that in other EU countries. Further efforts to reduce Pb and Cd intake are required to minimize potential health risks.     

Review of the toxicology, human exposure and safety assessment for bisphenol A diglycidylether (BADGE).

BADGE (whose chemical names are bisphenol A diglycidylether and 2,2-bis(4-(2,3-epoxypropyl)phenyl)propane) is the lowest molecular weight oligomer in commercial epoxy resins and the major component in commercial liquid epoxy resins. The major application areas for epoxy resins are protective coatings and civil engineering. Additional applications include printed circuit boards, composites, adhesives and tooling, while a relatively small amount of epoxy resins (< 10%) finds use in protective coatings inside food and drink cans. The use of BADGE in food-contact applications was first regulated through EC Directive 2002/16/EC and amended in EC Directive 2004/13/EC with migration levels in food-contact applications being generally well below the regulatory thresholds. The paper discusses the commercial use of BADGE focusing on the current knowledge of human exposure from canned food applications. To assess the safety of this application, the exposure data are compared with no adverse effect levels (NOAEL) from various toxicological investigations with BADGE including reproductive and developmental assays, endocrine toxicity investigations, and sub-chronic and chronic assays. Consumer exposure to BADGE is almost exclusively from migration of BADGE from can coatings into food. Using a worst-case scenario that assumes BADGE migrates at the same level into all types of food, the estimated per capita daily intake for a 60-kg individual is approximately 0.16 microg kg(-1) body weight day(-1). A review of one- and two-generation reproduction studies and developmental investigations found no evidence of reproductive or endocrine toxicity, the upper ranges of dosing being determined by maternal toxicity. The lack of endocrine toxicity in the reproductive and developmental toxicological tests is supported by negative results from both in vivo and in vitro assays designed specifically to detect oestrogenic and androgenic properties of BADGE. An examination of data from sub-chronic and chronic toxicological studies support a NOAEL of 50 mg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) from the 90-day study, and a NOAEL of 15 mg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) (male rats) from the 2-year carcinogenicity study. Both NOAELS are considered appropriate for risk assessment. Comparing the estimated daily human intake of 0.16 microg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) with the NOAELS of 50 and 15 mg kg(-1) body weight day(-1) shows human exposure to BADGE from can coatings is between 250,000 and 100,000-fold lower than the NOAELs from the most sensitive toxicology tests. These large margins of safety together with lack of reproductive, developmental, endocrine and carcinogenic effects supports the continued use of BADGE for use in articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs.     

Estimate of dietary exposure to sulphites using Brazilian students as a sample population.

In Brazil, there is neither a register of the use of sulphites by the food industry nor is research being undertaken on their dietary exposure to the population. The objective of the work reported here was to estimate the dietary exposure to sulphites in two different groups of high school students, a fee-paying school group and a state school group. The data were collected through a 24-hour dietary recall, which provided estimates of sulphited foods and beverages in the diet. The Maximum Permitted Level (MPL), established by the Brazilian legislation for each of the sulphited food and beverages, was used to measure the dietary exposure to this additive. On this basis none of the students could have exceeded the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0.70 mg SO2/kg bw/day, with a average dietary exposure of 0.07 mg SO2/kg bw/day (p<0.001), with no significant statistical difference (p=0.643) between fee-paying and state school students. Highly exposed consumers (dietary exposure to more than 50% of the ADI, or either, 0.35 mg SO2/kg bw/day, to the maximum of 0.52 mg SO2/kg bw/dia) represented 4.5% of the researched samples and reached these levels of intake due to a consumption beyond 500 ml/day of industrialized packaged fruit juices, and, in the fee-paying school, for associating its consumption with alcoholic beverages like beer and wine.