LAUSR

Abstract Single-surface migration of phthalate esters from polythene film into four food simulants was studied by gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester (BEHP) and bis-butyl phthalate ester (BBP) were detected in the food simulants and their migration rates varied markedly with temperature, contact time and simulants. For BEHP and BBP, the migration rates from the polythene (PE) films into simulants at −18 °C and 4 °C were found to be lower than those at higher temperatures (20 °C, 40 °C and 60 °C). A significant increase of BEHP and BBP migration contents was observed from 4 °C to 40 °C, and reached a plateau after a certain time period. The second migration reached equilibrium faster than the first migration under the same conditions, with approximate or even higher migration rates. Isooctane was found to have the highest migration rates for BEHP and BBP. The migration rates of BBP in the four simulants were generally higher than those of BEHP under the same conditions. A series of quality control measures were taken and acceptable results were obtained. The results of this study indicated that the PAEs in PE films easily migrated into food simulants, especially in lipophilic solvents and the migration contents from reused PE films have exceeded the maximum limits established by the European Union in some cases.