Migration of (non-) intentionally added substances and microplastics from microwavable plastic food containers.

Abstract Microwavable plastic food containers (MPFCs) are extensively used for food storage, cooking, rapid heating and as take-out containers. There is an urgent need to investigate whether MPFCs pose potential health risks, as a result of the migration of chemicals into foods. Herein, 42 intentionally added substances (IAS) and >100 non-IAS (NIAS) migrating from MPFCs were identified in food simulants according to Regulation (EU, No 10/2011). The migration of major IAS and NIAS was higher in 95% ethanol compared to other simulants, and gradually decreased following repeated use. NIAS, including Cramer class III toxic compounds, such as PEG oligomers of N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) alkyl(C8–C18)amines, isomers of hexadecanamide and oleamide, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde and Irgafos 168 OXO were detected and exceeded the recommended limits. Furthermore, microplastics (MPs) were detected with maximum values of over one million particles/L in MPFCs in a single test, and migration behaviors of MPs in different MPFCs were different. Surprisingly, this rigorous migration could result in an annual intake of IAS/NIAS up to 55.15 mg and 150 million MPs particles if take-out food was consumed once a day. Multi-safety evaluation studies on the migration of various chemicals from MPFCs to foodstuffs during food preparation should be assessed.