Phthalate and Novel Plasticizer Concentrations in Food Items from U.S. Fast Food Chains

AbstractBackground: Phthalates exposures are linked with adverse health outcomes, and limited toxicity data is available for phthalate alternatives such as dioctyl terephthalate (DEHT) despite increasing exposure trends. Given the importance of dietary exposures, we aimed to characterize phthalates and non-phthalate alternatives in food items and food handling gloves from popular fast food chains.Methods: We sampled fast food items in two phases from 2017 to 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. In phase one, we sampled burgers, chicken nuggets, fries, chicken burritos, and cheese pizzas from six chains (n=42). In phase two, we sampled burgers, fries, and chicken burritos from three of the same chains (n=22), and collected one pair of gloves from each (n=3). Twelve analytes were quantified in samples using gas chromatography mass spectrometry: butylbenzyl phthalate (BBzP), diisodecyl phthalate (DiDP), di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), diisobutyl phthalate (DiBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP), di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINCH), and DEHT.Results: Among all chemicals measured, DEHT was the most abundant in both fast food and glove samples. Chemical patterns differed by food type. DEHT levels were significantly higher in burritos compared with burgers (6000 ug/kg versus 2200 ug/kg; p <0.0001) and no DEHT was detected in fries. DEHT was detected in all glove samples (range: 1.24-1.88 g/glove). DnBP and DEHP were detected in 85% and 72% of food samples, respectively. Across both sampling phases, the highest median DEHP concentrations were in burgers (n=21, 36.0 ug/kg).Conclusions: To our knowledge, these are the first data available of DEHT in food, and the first data of plasticizers from US fast food chains. Phthalate alternatives were found at high concentrations, and several ortho-phthalates were also ubiquitous. Further research is needed to identify health implications and opportunities for intervention.