Issues in Food Packaging (Plastics)

Migration of Monomers

Abirami Nadarajan
Food Packaging Assignment

Plastics are

not inert

Interaction

ccurs between
Food
Packaging
Polymer Materials

Major Concern:

MIGRATION

Migration
Transfer of chemical compound from

Plastics Packaging Materials

Food Products

Most common foodpackage

interactions:
Migration of Low
Molecular Weight
Substances:

Stabilizers
Plasticizers
Antioxidants
Monomers
Oligomers

FOOD

The Migration
Mechanism

Diffusion of chemical compound

through polymers

Desorption of diffused molecules

from the polymer surface
Sorption of the compounds at the
plastic interface
Desorption of compounds in food

Type of Migrations
Diffusion
Migration
Migration of
the substances
through the
packaging into
the food.
Eg: Thin-Walled
Bottles

Set-Off
Migration

Migration due to
heating

Migration from
the printed to
the unprinted
side die to the
two side
coming into
contact

Migration of
gaseous or
vaporous
substances into
food during
heating

Example:
Stacking

Eg: Microwave
Ready Meals

Few Common

Migrating Components

Bisphenol A
(BPA)

From plastic bottles

and some cans lined
with polycarbonate
tiny amounts
of BPA are formed
when polycarbonate
bottles are washed
with harsh
detergents or bleach
(eg, sodium
hypochlorite).

Polystyrene

Styrene, a component of polystyrene

is hazardous to human health.
Long Term exposure of styrene can result in :
Neurotoxic Effects (fatigue, nervousness,
difficulty sleeping)
Hematological Effects (low platelet and
hemoglobin values),
Cytogenetic Effects (chromosomal and
lymphatic abnormalities),
Carcinogenic effects

Factors Affecting Styrene Migration

Fat
Content

Styrene is soluble in oil and fat. The higher the fats

content of the food, the higher the migration of styrene
into the food.

Acidity

Acids raises the styrene migration rate. Studies showed

that tea with lemon produced the most marked change
in the weight of the foam cup.

Heat

Studies have found that styrene tends to migrate more

quickly when foods or drinks are hot. However, meat or
cheese bought from the supermarket on a clear-plasticwrapped polystyrene tray is also readily picking up
styrene from the foam container.

Factors Affecting Styrene Migration

Presence
of Ethanol

Styrene is soluble in ethanol, commonly found in alcoholic

beverages. For instance, red wine will instantly dissolve
styrene. A 1985 Cuban study noted migration of styrene
from low and high-density polyethylene into milk, yogurt
and alcohol solutions. This means that ingestion can take
place by using polystyrene cups to drink beer, wine and
mixed alcoholic drinks.

Presence of
Vitamin A

Most interesting is the degradation of food that contains

vitamin A (betacarotene). In packaged foods with the
addition of heat (such as microwave temperatures), vitamin
A will decompose and produce m-xylene, toluene, and 2,6dimethylnaphthalene. Toluene will aggressively dissolve
polystyrene. This renders polystyrene as an unsuitable
package for containing or microwaving products that
contain vitamin A.

Benzene is another component of

polystyrene foam and its

CARCINOGENIC!

Polyvinyl
chloride (PVC)

Migrating component
in PVC:
Plasticizers
Diethylhexyl adipate
(DEHA)
Di(2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate (DEHP)

Monomers
Vinyl Chloride

DEHA: WHERE & HOW MUCH IS SAFE?

WHERE:
Commercial cling films are predominantly PVC, used for over-wrap of
supermarket trays, filled rolls at delicatessens etc.

SAFE LIMITS
Experts from the European Union have recommended a safe level
(Tolerable Daily Intake) of DEHA intake to be up to 21 mg/day for a
70 kg adult, without causing harm. Their dietary exposure is
estimated to be up to 8.2 mg/day, below the safety limit.

HEALTH CONCERNS
DEHA can cause liver tumors in mice, and other studies showed that
DEHA migrates from plastic wrap into foodparticularly high fat
foods such as cheese

Effect of DEHP on Human Health

Toxicity

The acute toxicity of DEHP is low in animal models: 30 g/kg

in rats (oral) and 24 g/kg in rabbits (dermal). Concerns
instead focus on its potential as an endocrine disruptor.

Development

Approximately 25% of US women have phthalate levels

similar to those in the study.However, the study author
cautioned that replication of these results are needed to
strengthen any links between phthalates and adverse
health outcomes.

Obesity

A study on CDC data, "revealed that American men with

abdominal obesity or insulin resistance (a precursor
to diabetes) were more likely to have high levels of [DEHP
and DBP] metabolites in their urine than men without
those problems.

Cardiotoxicity

A clinically relevant dose and duration of exposure to DEHP

has been shown to have a significant impact on the
behavior of cardiac cells in culture.

Vinyl Chloride Monomer

WHERE

PVC materials can be used for many applications,for

example for the production of various industrial
products (floorings or plastic parts of food processing
machines), and also for safety tools (gloves),
transport materials as well as toys.

Problems

Migration of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) into food

which can cause a significant food contamination.
Maximal residual amount allowed of VCM at 1 mg/kg
of the PVC material.

Health
Impact

An occupational exposure to VCM is associated with

an increased incidence of angiosarcoma of the liver
and other malignant tumours, circulatory
disturbance, and impaired liver function

Summary, Applications and Health Effects of some

Migrating Components

Plastic
Polyvinylchloride (#3PVC)
MC: VCM

Plasticizers: Phthalates
MC: DEHP, DINP

Polycarbonate (#7)
MC: Bisphenol A

Common Uses
Food packaging, plastic wrap, containers
for toiletries, cosmetics, crib bumpers,
floor tiles, pacifiers, shower curtains,
toys, water pipes, garden hoses, auto
upholstery, inflatable swimming pools

Adverse Health Effects

Can cause cancer, birth defects,
genetic changes, chronic bronchitis,
ulcers, skin diseases, deafness,
vision failure, indigestion, and liver
dysfunction

Endocrine disruption, linked to

Softened vinyl products manufactured
asthma, developmental and
with phthalates include vinyl clothing,
reproductive effects. Medical waste
emulsion paint, footwear, printing inks,
with PVC and phthalates is
non-mouthing toys and childrens
regularly incinerated causing public
products, product packaging and food
health effects from the release of
wrap, vinyl flooring, blood bags and
dioxins and mercury, including
tubing, IV containers and components,
cancer, birth defects, hormonal
surgical gloves, breathing tubes, general
changes, declining sperm counts,
purpose labware, inhalation masks, many
infertility, endometriosis, and
other medical devices
immune system impairment.

Water bottles

Scientists have linked very low

doses of bisphenol A exposure to
cancers, impaired immune
function, early onset of puberty,
obesity, diabetes,
and hyperactivity, among other
problems (Environment California)

Plastic

Polystyrene
MC: Styrene Monomers,
Benzene

Common Uses

Adverse Health Effects

Many food containers for meats, fish,

cheeses, yogurt, foam and clear
clamshell containers, foam and rigid Can irritate eyes, nose and throat
plates, clear bakery containers,
and can cause dizziness and
packaging "peanuts", foam packaging, unconsciousness. Migrates into food
audio cassette housings, CD cases,
and stores in body fat. Elevated
disposable cutlery, building insulation,
rates of lymphatic and
flotation devices, ice buckets, wall tile, hematopoietic cancers for workers.
paints, serving trays, throw-away hot
drink cups, toys

Polyethelyne (#1 PET)

MC: Monomers

Water and soda bottles, carpet fiber,

chewing gum, coffee stirrers, drinking
glasses, food containers and wrappers,
heat-sealed plastic packaging,
kitchenware, plastic bags, squeeze
bottles, toys

Suspected human carcinogen

Polyester
MC: Benzene

Bedding, clothing, disposable diapers,

food packaging, tampons, upholstery

Can cause eye and respiratorytract irritation and acute skin

rashes

Plastic

Common Uses

LDPE
MC: Naphthalene,
Antioxidants such as BHT &
Irganox 1010

Adverse Health Effects

Naphthalene from environment

Low-density polyethylene is
could potentially be absorbed by
relatively transparent and used to
LDPE bottles which milks are
make films of various sorts
contained. Naphthalene are
(including domestic/household cling
generally Carcinogenic.
film), and bread bags, freezer bags,
Antioxidants migrate into the food
flexible lids and squeezable food
and can cause harm to human
bottles, milk bottles.
health beyond its safety level.

Note: MC = Migrating Components

How to avoid these?

Be Plastic Smart!
Know your plastics!

Ask yourself
Is it safe?

Use the right plastic !

Thank you!
By: Abirami Nadarajan (113559)