Researchers from the Official Food Control Laboratory of the Canton of Zurich(Kantonales Labor Zürich, Switzerland) analyzed the migration of plasticizers from the gaskets of glass jar lids to the food in them.
The study (Biedermann et al., 2022) reveals the existence of a widespread food safety problem related to the lack of rules and official controls on MOCAs (Materials and Objects Intended to Come into Contact with Food) in Europe.
Migration of plasticizers in foods in oil, the Swiss study
Sampling was carried out by the 20 Swiss local food safety authorities and that of Liechtenstein.
109 foods in oil packaged in glass jars-of which 81 had PVC (polyvinyl chloride) seals-were taken from the market.
Samples were shaken once every month and stored for 6 months before laboratory analysis.
The result
Migration of plasticizers from the seals of glass jar lids is high and often exceeds regulatory limits when packaged food contains a lot of oil, the researchers explain.
In particular, plastic materials other than PVC appear to increase the release of contaminants.
Twenty-seven out of 109 foods analyzed were found to be non-compliant with Regulation (EU) 10/2011 for exceeding contamination limits by
– epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO),
– polyadipates (PA)
– acetyl tributyl citrate,
– The sum of the approved plasticizers. (2)
‘Three other samples revealed the presence of plasticizers not approved for food contact.’
Food contact materials, food safety at risk
The study authors, in their conclusions, note the following:
- ‘there are still too many products on the Swiss market where the migration of plasticizers in oily foods exceeds legal limits.’
- ‘food manufacturers need to pay more attention to ensure that packaging material is suitable for packaged foods.’
Authorities recommend inspections on the suitability of manufactured lids to improve compliance of plasticizer migration from glass jars to food.
MOCAs and food safety, controls in the EU
Back in 2018, at the first stakeholders’ meeting to evaluate the European MOCA Regulation (3,4,5), Gregor McCombie-one of the co-authors of the scientific publication under review-presented the scenario in the EU and Switzerland. Dwelling on the three key points:
1) Inspection, that is, checks on production processes,
2) Product control, where chemical analysis of retail products is carried out,
3) documentation checks, where the completeness of supporting documents and declarations of compliance are assessed.
McCombie stated that the application of reg. EC 1924/06 in Europe is scarce for two essential reasons:
- About 100,000 substances are present, in total, in all MOCAs. Of these, only 10,000 are intentionally added, 1,000 are specifically regulated, less than 100 are actually controlled,
- In many EU countries, no chemical analysis of Food Contact Materials is performed. (6)
Marta Strinati and Dario Dongo
Notes
(1) Maurus Biedermann, Tanja Altherr, Sandra Biedermann-Brem, Angela Eicher, Celine Muñoz, Gregor McCombie. Migration of plasticisers from the gaskets of lids into oily food in glass jars: An update of the situation on the Swiss market a decade after large European campaigns. Food Packaging and Shelf Life, Volume 33, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fpsl.2022.100922
(2) Reg. EU 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:012:0001:0089:IT:PDF
(3) Dario Dongo. Contact materials, safety issue. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 27.9.18
(4) Marta Strinati, Dario Dongo. Chemical toxicity of food contact materials, researchers appeal. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 12.3.20
(5) Marta Strinati, Dario Dongo. EU Consultation on MOCAs. The position of ISS. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 20.1.21
(6) Jane Muncke. EU starts evaluation of FCM regulation: 1st stakeholder event. Food Packaging Forum. 27.9.18
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
