Phthalates, bisphenols and per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances migration from food packaging into food: a systematic review.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review of observational and experimental migration studies (graded by design analogy, not clinical CEBM).
PubMed 40665485 · doi:10.1515/reveh-2025-0027
What was done
Six electronic databases were systematically screened for observational, case report, or experimental studies assessing the migration of phthalates, bisphenols, and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from plastic food packaging into foods intended for human consumption. A total of 67 studies covering 5,378 samples were analyzed, and daily dietary exposure was estimated based on a standard Western diet.
What was found
Phthalates and bisphenols consistently migrated into food substances, with migration enhanced by higher temperatures, longer exposure durations, and high-fat or acidic food composition. PFAS migration occurred but lacked sufficient published studies to reach definitive conclusions. For a standard Western diet, modeled daily packaging-derived plasticizer exposure totaled 36,349.2 µg, comprising 35,250 µg di-iso-decyl phthalate, 713.8 µg di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, 347.7 µg di-n-butyl phthalate, 65.4 µg other plasticizers, and 17.3 µg butyl-benzyl phthalate.
Why it matters
This review synthesizes food-contact data to show that routine plastic packaging contact transfers measurable quantities of endocrine-disrupting chemicals into human food, especially when packaging fatty or acidic products.
Limits
Exposure calculations are theoretical models based only on a standard Western diet and cannot be generalized to other patterns such as Mediterranean or plant-based diets. Published PFAS data were too limited for firm conclusions. The abstract does not report direct human biomonitoring, metabolic clearance, or clinical endpoints.
Cited by
- supports Heating food or liquids in plastic results in greater chemical exposure than merely storing them in plastic.