CHOICE tests on 25 everyday foods packaged in glass jars have found 13 were contaminated with controversial plastic softening chemicals at levels that exceed the safety limits set by the European Union (EU).

The tests revealed a pesto sauce which contained plasticisers at levels more than 12 times that permitted in the EU, and one tandoori dip at 230 times over the standard. Australian food regulators do not set limits for these chemicals.

One food manufacturer in Australia has now initiated a precautionary withdrawal of two products pending further investigations. Others have queried their suppliers and requested directions from the food regulator Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ).

The plasticisers are more likely to migrate from PVC seals if the foods contain more than four percent fat and are runny enough to slurp against the lid. The most frequently used plasticisers for screw-capped jars and bottles are epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) and a number of different phthalates. The EU guidelines for ESBO are 60 parts per million (ppm) for food and half that for baby food.

CHOICE found nine of the 25 foods contained ESBO at levels well above the EU limit. One of the foods tested — a pesto sauce with 26 percent fat — contained 840 ppm.

CHOICE says it wants the food regulators to follow the EU lead and provide consumers with better protection.

"We want to see the food industry find safe alternatives to these potentially unsafe chemicals. We’d also like FSANZ to set limits for plasticisers in the Food Standards Code," said Zinn.

“If you want to reduce your exposure to plasticisers, avoid products in glass containers if the nutrition information label says they contain more than about four percent fat and the contents are likely to come into contact with the lid.”

http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?id=106396&catId=100582&tid=100010

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