Tetramethylsuccinonitrile in polyvinyl chloride products for food and its release into food-simulating solvents

Summary The content of tetramethylsuccinonitrile (TMSN), the main decomposition product of 2,2-azobis-isobutyronitrile, in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products used for food packaging, were examined as well as food-simulating solvents. The TMSN concentration in 17 PVC products ranged from below the detection limit, 0.05 mg/kg, up to 523 mg/kg. The release of TMSN from two PVC products into five kinds of food-simulating solvents at 60 °C for 30 min was observed, except for 1 ± 1 g/kg of TMSN in n-heptane from a PVC bottle containing 523±30.4 mg/kg of TMSN. The detection limit of TMSN in the food-simulating solvents was 1 g/kg. When pieces of the bottle were stored in olive oil at 40 °C for 120 days, 5 ± 1 g/kg of TMSN was detected in the oil. The release of TMSN from the pieces of the bottle into olive oil between 80 and 140 °C depended on the formula 1ny = 0.08786x - 5.696,r = 0.9927, wherey is the concentration (g/kg) of TMSN in olive oil, x is the temperature (°C), andr is the correlation coefficient.

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Tetramethyl-succinonitril in Polyvinylchloridprodukten für Lebensmittel und seine Freisetzung in simulierenden Lösungsmitteln

Zusammenfassung Untersucht wurde der Gehalt von Tetramethyl-Succinonitril (TMSN), dem Hauptzersetzungsprodukt von 2,2-Azobis-iso-butyronitril, in Polyvinylchloridprodukten (PVC) für Lebensmittel im Zusammenhang mit dessen Freisetzung in simulierenden Lösungsmitteln. Die TMSN-Konzentration in 17 PVC-Produkten lag teilweise unterhalb der Meßgrenze; ansonsten lag sie zwischen 0,05 und 523 mg/kg. Ausgenommen von 1 ± 1 g/kg TMSN in n-Heptan aus einer PVC-Flasche, die 523 ± 30,4 mg/kg, TMSN enthielt, wurde bei einer Temperatur von 60 °C innerhalb von 30 min aus zwei PVC-Produkten keine Freisetzung von TMSN in fünf verschiedenen simulierenden Lösungsmitteln beobachtet. Die Erfassungsgrenze von TMSN in den simulierenden Lösungsmitteln lag bei 1 g/kg. Bei Aufbewahrung von Teilen der PVC-Flasche in Olivenöl bei 40 °C für 120 Tage wurden 5 ± 1 g/kg TMSN im Olivenöl erfaßt. Die Freisetzung von TMSN aus der Flasche in das Olivenöl bei Temperaturen zwischen 80 und 140 °C verlief nach der Formel Iny = 0,08786x - 5,696, (r = 0,9927);y = Konzentration (g/kg von TMSN im Olivenöl),x = Temperatur (°C) undr = Korrelationskoeffizient.

     

Headspace analysis of benzene in food contact materials and its migration into foods from plastics cookware

Concentrations of benzene of 29 and 64 mg/kg were found in two samples of thermoset polyester compounded for the manufacture of plastic cookware. In collaboration with the suppliers of the materials, it was established that the benzene originated from the use of t-butyl perbenzoate used as an initiator in the manufacture of the polymer. Samples of thermoset polyester made to the original formulations and thus contaminated with benzene showed migration levels of 1.9 and 5.6 mg/kg in olive oil after extraction for 1 hour at 175 degrees C. Migration levels into olive oil at 175 degrees C for samples produced with non-aromatic initiator were less than 0.1 mg/kg. Concentrations of benzene in thermoset polyester cookware purchased from retail outlets were 0.3 to 84.7 mg/kg. Low amounts of benzene (less than 0.01 to 0.09 mg/kg) were detected in foods when the articles were used for cooking in microwave or conventional ovens. Other plastics used for retail food packaging, such as polystyrene and PVC, which might utilise t-butyl perbenzoate catalyst, were also analysed for benzene. Levels were mostly below 0.1 mg/kg, with the highest amounts detected being from 0.2 to 1.7 mg/kg, predominantly in articles of expanded polystyrene.     

Effect of microwave heating on the migration of dioctyladipate and acetyltributylcitrate plasticizers from food-grade PVC and PVDC/PVC films into olive oil and water

Migration of dioctyladipate (DOA) and acetyltributylcitrate (ATBC) plasticizers from plasticized Polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC/PVC (Saran) films into both olive oil and distilled water during microwave heating has been studied. The plasticizer migrating into olive oil and water was determined using an indirect GC method after saponification of the ester-type plasticizer (DOA or ATBC) and subsequent collection of the alcohol component of the ester, namely: 2-ethyl-1-hexanol and 1-butanol, respectively. Migration was dependent on heating time, microwave power setting, the nature of the food simulant and the initial concentration of the plasticizer in the film. Migration of DOA into olive oil reached equilibrium after heating for 10 min at full power (604.6 mg DOA/1). Migration into distilled water was 74.1 mg/1 after 8 min of microwave cooking at full power. The amount of ATBC migrating into olive oil reached equilibrium after heating for 10 min at full power (73.9 mg ATBC/1). Migration into distilled water was 4.1 mg/1 after heating at full power for 8 min. Control samples containing olive oil gave DOA migration values which were significantly higher than the upper limit for global migration (60 mg/1) set by the European Community. It is proposed that PVC should not be used in direct contact with food in the microwave oven, while Saran may be used with caution in microwave heating and reheating applications, avoiding its direct contact with high fat foodstuffs.     

Effect of γ-radiation on migration behaviour of dioctyladipate and acetyltributylcitrate plasticizers from food-grade PVC and PVDC/PVC films into olive oil

Food-grade PVC and PVDC/PVC films containing 28.3% dioctyladipate (DOA) and 5.0% acetyltributylcitrate (ATBC) plasticizers, respectively, were brought into contact with olive oil and were irradiated with γ-radiation [⁶⁰Co] at doses equal to 4 kGy and 9 kGy corresponding to “cold pasteurization”. Irradiation was carried out at 8–10 °C and samples were subsequently stored at 4–5 °C. Contaminated oil samples were analysed for DOA and ATBC at intervals between 7 h and 97 h of contact, using an indirect GC method. Identical nonirradiated (control) samples were also analysed for DOA and ATBC content. Results showed no statistically significant differences in migrated amounts of DOA and ATBC between irradiated and non-irradiated samples. Neither were differences observed between samples irradiated at 4 kGy and 9 kGy. This was supported by identical IR spectra recorded for irradiated and non-irradiated samples and leads to the conclusion that at such intermediate radiation doses (≤9 kGy) the migration characteristics of both PVC and PVDC/PVC films are not affected. The amount of DOA that migrated into olive oil was dependent on time, reaching equilibrium after approximately 47 h of contact (302.8 mg/l). The amount of ATBC that migrated into olive oil was non-detectable (<1 mg/1) for all samples stored at 4–5 °C after 97 h. In non-irradiated samples (PVDC/PVC in contact with oil) stored at 20 °C, small amounts of migrated ATBC were determined (3.3 and 5.1 mg/l after 29 h and 94 h of contact respectively). Furthermore, in thermally treated samples heated to 80 °C for 30 min and 60 min, the respective amounts of migrated ATBC determined were 2.9 mg/l and 19.3 mg/l.     

Dietary exposure assessment of infants to bisphenol A from the use of polycarbonate baby milk bottles

The residual bisphenol A (BPA) levels in 28 different brands of polycarbonate (PC) baby milk bottles available in the Singapore market were measured. With a detection limit of 3 mg/kg, BPA residues were detected in 19 out of the 28 PC baby milk bottles at levels between 4.01 and 141 mg/kg, with a mean of 28.1 ± 31.4 mg/kg and a median of 17.2 mg/kg. The potential migration of BPA from each of the 28 PC milk bottles was also measured using food-simulating solvents and time conditions recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA), but using temperatures more severe than actual use. The highest upper-bound mean BPA migration levels of 0.64 ± 0.48 µg/in² in 10% ethanol at 70°C and 0.43 ± 1.25 µg/in² in corn oil at 100°C were observed after incubating cut portions of the milk bottles for 240 h. With this migration data and using US FDA's procedure for estimation of dietary exposure, the worst-case dietary exposure assessment for the intake of BPA by infants between birth and three months of age was below the oral Reference Dose of 0.05 mg/kg bw/day established by the US Environmental Protection Agency. This study showed that the dietary exposure to BPA from actual uses of PC milk bottles is unlikely to pose a health risk in infants.     

Migration of melamine and formaldehyde from tableware made of melamine resin

Migration of melamine and formaldehyde into food-simulating solvents from cups made of melamine resin was studied under various conditions. Little migration of melamine was observed in any unused cups kept at 60 degrees C for 30 min, room temperature (26 degrees C) for 1 h or cooled at -20 degrees C for several days. Migration of both compounds was strongly affected by heating and acidity. The highest migration of melamine into 4% acetic acid used as a food-simulating solvent was 42.9 +/- 7.2 ppm when the migration test was repeated seven times at 95 degrees C for 30 min. In this time, the migration of formaldehyde was 14.2 +/- 0.6 ppm into the solvent. The molecular ratio of the migration amount of formaldehyde to melamine decreased according to the formula Y = 9.15X-0.813 over seven repetitions of the test, and was maintained at about 1.6 between the 10th and 20th repetitions. The inner surface of the cups became tarnished during the repetition of the test and their roughness increased from 1 micron before the test to 2.5-5 microns after 20 repetitions of the test. Migration of melamine from the cups being used at a cafeteria was 0.4 +/- 0.5 ppm, but that of formaldehyde was undetectable when the cups were kept at 60 degrees C for 30 min with 4% acetic acid.     

Occurrence of C15-C45 mineral paraffins in olives and olive oils.

Different classes of olive oils and other olive samples (olives, olive paste and olive pomace) collected during their production were analysed for mineral paraffins in the range of C(15)-C(45). None of the 22 extra virgin olive oils contained mineral paraffins above the detection limit of 1 mg kg(-1). Also, lampante virgin olive oil from the olive mill showed no detectable amounts, but olive oil from the market contained 6-30 mg kg(-1). This contamination cannot be attributed to the refining step, which, on the contrary, partially removes the more volatile hydrocarbons, but could result from transport. Olive-pomace oils obtained by second centrifugation contained 16-145 mg kg(-1) mineral paraffins, presumably because of contamination during storage of the pomace. All olive-pomace oils from solvent extraction contained more than 100 mg kg(-1) mineral paraffins, also mainly from storage. Deposition of particulate matter from the air, vehicle exhaust emissions and direct contamination from the bulldozers used to move the pomace were identified as potential sources.     

Determination method of tricresyl phosphate in polyvinyl chloride

A simple and rapid method using HPLC was developed for the determination of tricresyl phosphate (TCP) in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) articles. A test sample was extracted with acetonitrile at 37 degrees C overnight. The extract solution diluted with an equivalent amount of water was applied to a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge, and TCP was eluted with acetonitrile-water (2:1) mixture. The eluate was analyzed by HPLC with an Inertsil Ph-3 column, using 65% acetonitrile/water as the mobile phase, with UV detection (264 nm). The calibration curve was rectilinear from 0.5 to 100 micrograms/mL. The recoveries of TCP added to various kinds of PVC articles at the level of 1,000 micrograms/g were 84.7-98.6%. The determination limit of TCP was 50 micrograms/g in samples. This method was applied to products including 3.1, 6.6 and 8.8% TCP and the recoveries of TCP were 87.3-91.4%. This method is very simple, and it seems suitable for a regulatory test.     

Determination of organotin compounds in plastic products by GC/MS after ethyl derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate

A simultaneous determination method for 9 organotin compounds in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and silicone products used as kitchen utensils and food packages was developed using ethyl derivatization with sodium tetraethylborate (NaBEt4). Organotin compounds were extracted with acetone-hexane (3:7) from the samples after acidification and the extract was filtered and concentrated at under 40 degrees C. After centrifugal separation, these compounds were derivatized with 2% NaBEt4 solution and determined by GC/MS. This method was applicable for simple routine analysis. Recoveries of spiked compounds were 49.1-118.1% for 3 PVC products and 88.8-102.2% for a siliconized paper. Monooctyltin, dioctyltin and trioctyltin compounds were found in all PVC food containers at the levels of 123-1,380 micrograms/g, 1,770-13,200 micrograms/g and 6.6-139 micrograms/g, respectively. They also were found in 3 gloves, 5 spouts, 1 hose and 5 pipes. Some PVC products contained monomethyltin, dimethyltin, trimethyltin, monobutyltin and dibutyltin compounds at the levels of 97.3-433 micrograms/g, 96.5-5,120 micrograms/g, 8.5-24.9 micrograms/g, 1.2-852 micrograms/g and 1.2-29.4 micrograms/g, respectively.     

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.     

Identification of 3-MCPD esters to verify the adulteration of extra virgin olive oil

ABSTRACT

The adulteration of olive oil is an important issue around the world. This paper reports an indirect method by which to identify 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters in olive oils. Following sample preparation, the samples were spiked with 1,2-bis-palmitoyl-3-chloropropanediol standard for analysis using gas chromatograph-tandem mass spectrometry. The total recovery ranged from 102.8% to 105.5%, the coefficient of variation ranged from 1.1% to 10.1%, and the limit of quantification was 0.125 mg/kg. The content of 3-MCPD esters in samples of refined olive oil (0.97–20.53 mg/kg) exceeded those of extra virgin olive oil (non-detected to 0.24 mg/kg). These results indicate that the oil refining process increased the content of 3-MCPD esters, which means that they could be used as a target compound for the differentiation of extra virgin olive oil from refined olive oil in order to prevent adulteration.     

Effectiveness of polypropylene film as a barrier to migration from recycled paperboard packaging to fatty and high-moisture food.

The capability of a polypropylene (PP) film barrier to prevent migration of residual contaminants from recycled paperboard into food simulants was studied. Anthracene, benzophenone, methyl stearate and pentachlorophenol were chosen as chemical surrogates to represent classes of contaminants likely to be found in recycled paper/paperboard. Each surrogate was spiked into a test specimen made of seven thin virgin paper layers at concentrations of 1-50 mg kg(-1). Test specimen were dried, stacked and sandwiched with PP films, laminated with PP film and then subjected to migration experiments using a compression cell maintained at 100 degrees C for 2 h. The concentration of the surrogates in the test specimen and in 95% ethanol, isopropanol and 10% ethanol food-simulating solvents was determined by gas chromatography with flame ionization and electron capture detection. The results show that although the concentrations of the surrogates in the food simulants decreased with an increase in PP film thickness, they were still high and generally resulted in dietary concentrations >0.5 microg kg(-1), the level that US Food and Drug Administration would equate with negligible risk for a contaminant migrating from food packaging. Only at the lowest spiking level (1 mg kg(-1) benzophenone) did migration from the paperboard through a 0.127-mm PP film result in a dietary concentration of 相似文献   

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.     

Determination of residual tetrachloroethylene in olive oil by headspace-gas chromatography

This study describes a method for the quantitative determination of residual tetrachloroethylene or perchloroethylene (PCE) in olive oil by headspace-gas chromatography. The analysis of the chlorinated product is performed by electron-capture gas chromatography, using a fused silica capillary column, CP Sil 8 CB. The absolute detection limit for PCE was 1 pg. Forty samples of olive oil and 5 other commodities have been analysed. Only one sample exceeded the proposed maximum level of 1 mg/kg.     

Determination of alkylphenols,bisphenol A,benzophenone and phthalates in containers of baby food,and migration into food simulants

Infants, whose growth and development are highly dependent upon the endocrine system, are particularly vulnerable to endocrine disruptor exposure. In our study, we examined whether or not alkylphenols, bisphenol A, benzophenone, di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate and 10 phthalates are present in containers of baby food. Furthermore, the migration into food-simulating solvents was also examined. Sixteen types of containers of baby food, obtained on the Japanese market in 2001, were examined: 8 glass bottle types, 1 plastic type, 1 metallic package (laminated with plastic) and 6 multilayered laminated film packages. Alkylphenols, benzophenone, bisphenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate were not detected in any of the samples. On the other hand, dibutylphthalate (DBP) was detected in 7 samples (1.2-9.1 micrograms/sample), and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) was detected in 15 samples (1.3-18 micrograms/sample). Migration tests were carried out for 5 samples, and the levels of DBP and DEHP that migrated into n-heptane were 0.68-1.7 micrograms/sample and 0.33-3.5 micrograms/sample, respectively. From these results, a baby's intake levels of DBP and DEHP were estimated to be about 1/2,500 and 1/90-300 of the tolerable daily intake (TDI), respectively.     

Determination of bisphenol A in, and its migration from, PVC stretch film used for food packaging

Bisphenol A (BPA) is used as an additive in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, including stretch films used for food packaging. The BPA contents were investigated of several brands of stretch film bought locally but marketed internationally or throughout Spain and which were presumably produced at different manufacturing plants. Their major components were identified by FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry) and horizontal attenuated total reflectance, and the migration of BPA from these materials into the standard European Union food simulants was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using both fluorescence (FL) and ultraviolet (UV) detection, the identity of the analyte being confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The two HPLC detection methods had different detection limits (30 μg l^-1 for UV, 3 μg l^-1 for FL), but afforded virtually identical BPA determinations for the samples tested. BPA contents ranging from 40 to 100 mg kg^-1 were found in three of the five PVC-based films analysed, and a content of 500 mg kg^-1 was found in a fourth; for these determinations, extraction into acetonitrile was used. In standard tests of migration into water, 3% acetic acid and olive oil over 10 days at 40°C, migration from a given film was in all cases greatest into olive oil. Migration from the films with non-zero BPA contents ranged from 3 to 31 μg dm^-2, values higher than those reported for many other food-contact materials, but lower than the European Union specific migration limit for BPA. PVC stretch film nevertheless may make a significant contribution to contamination of foodstuffs by BPA, and should be taken into account in estimating BPA intake or exposure to this substance.     

Determination of benzo(a)pyrene by GC/MS/MS in retail olive oil samples available in Qatar.

A survey was carried out for the presence of benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) in olive oils following reports that some batches of Spanish olive-pomace oil and its products contained high levels of B(a)P. Three types of olive oils (1) virgin olive oil, (2) refined olive oil and (3) olive-pomace oil, originating from France, Greece, Italy, the Lebanon, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey, and available on Qatar market, were analysed for B(a)P. Determination was carried out by extraction from a cyclohexane solution with N,N-dimethylformamide: water (9:1), back extraction with cyclohexane, followed by clean-up on a silica gel column and quantification by GC/MS/MS. The recovery and limit of quantitation of B(a)P in olive oils by this method were estimated as 88% and 0.5 microg kg(-1), respectively. B(a)P was detected in amounts below the permitted level of 2 microg kg(-1) in all 31 virgin olive oil samples and in 13 refined olive oil samples. However, all seven samples of Spanish olive-pomace oil produced and packed in Spain and three samples of olive-pomace oil produced in Spain, but packed in Saudi Arabia, were found to be contaminated with B(a)P, the level ranging from 3.1 to 70.8 microg kg(-1). In two samples of olive-pomace oil originating from Greece, B(a)P was not detected.     

Migration of fluorochemical paper additives from food-contact paper into foods and food simulants

Fluorochemical-treated paper was tested to determine the amount of migration that occurs into foods and food-simulating liquids and the characteristics of the migration. Migration characteristics of fluorochemicals from paper were examined in Miglyol, butter, water, vinegar, water-ethanol solutions, emulsions and pure oil containing small amounts of emulsifiers. Additionally, microwave popcorn and chocolate spread were used to investigate migration. Results indicate that fluorochemicals paper additives do migrate to food during actual package use. For example, we found that microwave popcorn contained 3.2 fluorochemical mg kg^-1 popcorn after popping and butter contained 0.1 mg kg^-1 after 40 days at 4°C. Tests also indicate that common food-simulating liquids for migration testing and package material evaluation might not provide an accurate indication of the amount of fluorochemical that actually migrates to food. Tests show that oil containing small amounts of an emulsifier can significantly enhance migration of a fluorochemical from paper.     

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.