Phthalate contamination in the milk chain

Aim(s) of the study: Phthalates are organic lipophilic compounds which are mainly used as plasticizer to increase the flexibility of plastic polymers. Exposure occurs mainly via food ingestion and can cause a wide range of health and reproductive effects. Phthalates are not only present in food because of environmental contamination, but also as a result of migration from packaging and contact materials (e.g. conveyor belts). This study investigates the phthalate contamination in the milk chain. Methods: Therefore, phthalate levels were determined in raw milk samples, collected during the milking process, and in retail milk and dairy products, purchased in Belgian shops. Analysis was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with electron impact ionisation. The phthalate levels of the raw milk samples were compared with phthalate levels in retail milk and dairy products in order to determine the contamination pathways in the milk chain. Main findings: Generally, retail milk samples contained more phthalates than raw milk samples (p<0.0003), which indicates that contamination mainly occurs via packaging and contact materials used during processing, transport and storage. For retail milk and dairy products, there is a monotonic increased relationship (p