Toxicants in Food

Packaging(PHTHALATE TOXICITY)

BY: SANEEA IMRAN

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Introduction to Food Packaging

Packaging primarily maintains the benefits of Food processing.

Benefits of food packaging:

Contains the food

Allows us to carry the food

Protects food from damage/outside influencers

Provides Ingredient and nutrition information

Increases Shelf Life

Enables the trade and globalization of food

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Today, Packaged foods are more common than Fresh Foods 3

Food packaging is not a new concept

For 1000’s of years, foods have been stored in containers

1700s: Food stored in bottles

1800s: Food sold in cans

1890s: Use of sealed wax paper bags and paperboard boxes (modern age of Food

Packaging)

1920s & 1930s: Plastics and Synthetics for food packaging

Today: Up to 6000 different chemicals are used as FCM*, some linked to chronic

diseases (COCs) while some lacking sufficient toxicological information.

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Phthalates

Phthalates are esters of phthalic acid [C6H4(CO2H)2]

Synthetic organic chemicals introduced in 1920

Common examples of phthalates used in Food Packaging:

1. High molecular weight phthalates: DINP, DIDP. Classified as non-toxic for human health.

2. Low molecular weight phthalates: DEHP, DBP, BBP. Classified as very

dangerous.

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Why Phthalates are added in Food

Packaging?

Food packaging materials are made of plastics

To increase the durability, strength, resistance, flexibility of plastics, certain additives

are used

Phthalates are one of such additives

Most commonly, phthalates are added in PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride-common

packaging material)

Also added in Polypropylene plastics

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Toxicity of Phthalates

Phthalates form loose and reversible bonds with PVC. Phthalates escape from these

loose bonds into the food material and are therefore an increasing public health

concern

Low molecular weight phthalates are classified as substances toxic to reproduction

DEHP (Di 2-ethylhexyl phthalate) directly affects foods, especially fatty foods.

DEHP has been detected in serum, urine and amniotic fluids of human subjects.

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Pharmacokinetics of DEHP

We will be discussing:

Intake (routes of exposure)

Metabolism

1. Hydrolysis

2. Conjugation

Excretion

DEHP specific toxicities

Mode of action

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Intake of DEHP

Different routes of exposure:

1. Ingestion

2. Inhalation

3. Dermal contact

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Food packaging as a source of DEHP

exposure

Multiple sources of DEHP exposure such as automotive, cosmetics, medical instruments children

toys and food packaging.

Yet Food Packaging is the major source of DEHP exposure.

Confirmed by a research group in 2011 : The levels of DEHP in human body were considerably

reduced when the intake of packaged foods was limited.

Rudel, Ruthann A., et al. "Food packaging and bisphenol A and bis (2-ethyhexyl) phthalate exposure: findings from a dietary intervention."

Environmental health perspectives 119.7 (2011): 914.

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Food Packaging that commonly

contains DEHP

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Metabolism of DEHP

1. Diester Phthalate Monoester Phthalate

1. Monoester Phthalate Hydrophilic Glucuronide conjugate

DEHP MEHP Urine

MEHP: Mono ethyl Hexyl Phthalate

Lipases/

Esterases

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase

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Excretion of DEHP

Has a relatively short half life

Eliminated via urine in first 48 hrs of intake

67% of DEHP is eliminated after 24 hrs as 3.8% of DEHP is eliminated after 48 hrs

as

2-Ethyl-5-hydroxy-hexyl phthalate 2-Carboxy-methyl-hexyl phthalate

2-Ethyl-5-carboxy-pentil phthalate 2-Ethyl-5-carboxy-pentil phthalate

2-Ethyl-5-oxy-hexyl phthalate 2-Ethyl-5-hydroxy-hexyl phthalate

Mono-2-ethyl-hexyl phthalate 2-Ethyl-5-oxy-hexyl phthalate

2-Carboxy-methyl-hexyl phthalate

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If DEHP has a short half life than how it

can be toxic?

The toxicity caused by DEHP is dependent on:

1. Dose

2. Frequency of exposure

In case of our current exposure to DEHP, the dose is but the frequency is

We are being constantly exposed to low doses of DEHP which is emerging as the leading cause of reproductive toxicity.

Resemblance of DEHP effects to common human reproductive disorders.

Genotoxic at high exposure levels

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Level of DHP in food packaging

DEHP is widely found in plastics used to make food containers, plastic wraps, glass jars and aluminum food

wraps.

Tolerable Daily Intake of DEHP: 0.05 mg/kg/day

Studies have confirmed that DEHP can cause biological changes within the range of common human

exposure level.

According to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA),

NOAEL for DEHP in foods: 5mg/kg/day

LOAEL for DEHP in foods: 14mg/kg/day

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DEHP Specific Toxicities

Reproductive System Toxicities:

(discussed in detail later)

Carcinogenesis:

- Causes Hepatocellular carcinoma in both sexes

- Liver tumors and pancreatic tumors

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Reproductive System Toxicities

Anti-androgenic

Decreased weight of testes

Atrophy of seminiferous tubules

Degeneration of sperm cells

Target Leydig cells and induce hormonal changes

The range of toxic responses varies with age and social factors of an individual. Young children can show more severe responses.

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Mode of action

DEHP affects the reproductive system by disrupting the development of

androgen dependent structures e.g. DEHP disturbs the Leydig and Sertoli

cell functions.

Left: Normal Testicular sections of adult rat, Right: DEHP exposed sections showing atrophic tubules and reduced germ cell differentiation

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DEHP

Disturbed

Leydig cell

function

Disturbed

sertoli cell

function

Decreased

Testosterone and

lower expression of

Insl3

Disruption of sertoli-

germ cell interaction

Mode of action of DEHP

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Some Facts about DEHP

DEHP is called a gender-bending chemical.

DEHP is one of the top 6 chemical threats to human.

According to a study in 2014, DEHP exposure to kids in USA exceeds the recommended reference dose.

DEHP is present in both TEDx List of Endocrine disruptors and Substitute it Now (SIN) list.

DEHP is present in highest concentrations in bread, meat, fats and dairy products.

Removing DEHP from Food Packaging can significantly decrease exposure for adults and children.

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Potential for further research

Further research should be done to determine:

- Dose- response relationships

- The effect and mode of action of all metabolites of a toxicant

- Relevancy of effects to human subjects especially children

- Chemical alternatives to DEHP that can be used for food packaging

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What we can do?

Cooking at home with fresh foods.

Making some very basic changes in the kitchen, such as avoiding canned

foods, choosing glass and stainless steel food and beverage containers.

Not microwaving and reheating plastic food packaging.

Avoiding contact of food with plastics. Replace plastics with:

1. Glass jars with clean lids.

2. Metal cans having inner lining suitable for the pH level of the food.

3. Silicone containers

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Food Grade packaging

US FDA advises to use food grade packaging for storing foods.

Edible packaging

Introducing sustainable packaging technologies:

1. Co-extruded high transparent cast films. Used for packaging fresh produce, bakery, grain mill

products.

2. Transparent and non-transparent laminates. Used for granola bars, potato chips and other

snacks.

3. Shellfish derived food packaging alternatives

4. Biopolymer based food packaging

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Substitution principle

Replacing Chemicals of Concern (COCs) with alternative chemicals or non-chemical technologies.

Identifying technically and economically feasible alternatives for COCs.

Challenges:

1. Section of alternative chemicals

2. Check of their regulatory status

3. Safety evaluation/Migration analysis

4. Production trials

5. Shelf life quality checks

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References:

Ventrice, Pasquale, et al. "Phthalates: European regulation, chemistry, pharmacokinetic and

related toxicity." Environmental toxicology and pharmacology 36.1 (2013): 88-96.

Geueke, Birgit, Charlotte C. Wagner, and Jane Muncke. "Food contact substances and chemicals

of concern: a comparison of inventories." Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A 31.8 (2014): 1438-

1450.

Fasano, Evelina, et al. "Migration of phthalates, alkylphenols, bisphenol A and di (2-ethylhexyl)

adipate from food packaging." Food Control 27.1 (2012): 132-138.

Martino‐Andrade, Anderson Joel, and Ibrahim Chahoud. "Reproductive toxicity of phthalate

esters." Molecular nutrition & food research 54.1 (2010): 148-157.

Marsh, Kenneth, and Betty Bugusu. "Food packaging—roles, materials, and environmental

issues." Journal of food science 72.3 (2007): R39-R55.

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THANK-YOU!eat fresh| stay fresh