Migration of plasticizers from PVC gaskets of lids for glass jars into oily foods: Amount of gasket material in food contact, proportion of plasticizer migrating into food and compliance testing by simulation

The background of usually high migration of plasticizers from PVC gaskets into oily foods packed in glass jars was investigated. On average, 17 mg gasket material containing 25-45% plasticizer was in direct food contact per centimeter circumference of the jar rim, ranging from 7 to 33 mg/cm (90 samples). Photographs taken through a microscope suggest that the amount of gasket material in food contact could often be reduced. In products from the market, migration of ESBO sometimes approached the amount present in the gasket in direct food contact, whereas that of phthalates, di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), di-(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate (DEHS) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC, Citroflex A) often even included material from underneath and outside the seal to the jar rim. Migration testing with oil at standard conditions (pasteurization/sterilization followed by 10 days at 40 degrees C) yielded migration far below that observed in reality; after 20 days at 60 degrees C, migration was above average in reality, but still did not reach the worst case required by legislation.