Occurrence of Phthalate Esters in Coffee and Risk Assessment

Foods · 6 authors, 3 centres

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TL;DR

This study measured DEHP and DBP concentrations in coffee powder and beverages from different packaging and extraction methods, finding higher DEHP in beverages from professional espresso machines. The levels were below regulatory limits and posed low risk for consumers, but the study is limited by not assessing machine wear and other phthalate sources.

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BACKGROUND

Phthalate esters (PAEs) like DEHP and DBP are endocrine disruptors used in plastics, and coffee is a major dietary exposure source. This study evaluated their occurrence in coffee powder and beverages to assess migration from packaging and machines. Methods: Researchers analyzed 60 packaged coffee powder/beans (multilayer, aluminum, paper pods) and 40 coffee beverages extracted by professional espresso machine (PEM), Moka pot (MP), and home espresso machine (HEM) using GC-MS. Risk was assessed via tolerable daily intake (TDI) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for 1–6 cups/day. Key Results: No significant differences in DBP or DEHP concentrations were found among packaging types. DEHP levels were higher in beverages from PEM (median 6.65 ng/g) compared to MP (0.78 ng/g) and HEM (0.83 ng/g). All PAE levels were below specific migration limits (SMLs). Exposure estimates were well below TDI, and ILCR values (highest 2.31 × 10⁻⁷) were below acceptable thresholds. Limitations: The study did not account for machine wear or other environmental PAE sources, and the risk assessment used deterministic estimates. Implications: Coffee consumption appears safe regarding DEHP and DBP exposure, but machine choice may influence PAE levels; further research on machine materials and wear is needed.

STUDY TYPE

other

SPECIALTY

food science

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10001370

Occurrence of Phthalate Esters in Coffee and Risk Assessment

Foods

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ABSTRACT

Coffee, one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, is commercialized as powder and beans in different types of packaging and extracted through several methods. In this regard, the present study focused on evaluating the concentration of two of the most used phthalates in plastic materials (bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and di-butyl phthalate (DBP)) in coffee powder and beverages to assess their migration from different packaging and machines. Furthermore, the levels of exposure to these endocrine disruptors in regular coffee consumers were estimated. Samples of packaged coffee powder/beans ( n = 60) from different forms of packaging (multilayer bag, aluminum tin, and paper pod) and coffee beverages ( n = 40) that were differently extracted (by professional espresso machine (PEM), Moka pot (MP), and home espresso machine (HEM)) were analyzed by extraction of the lipid fraction, purification, and determination by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Risk due to consumption of coffee (1–6 cups) was assessed based on tolerable daily intake (TDI) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR). No significant differences emerged in DBP and DEHP concentrations among different types of packaging (multilayer, aluminum, and paper), whereas higher levels of DEHP were reported in beverages extracted by PEM (6.65, 2.58–11.32) than by MP (0.78, 0.59–0.91) and HEM (0.83, 0.62–0.98). The presence of higher DEHP levels in coffee beverages than in coffee powder may be due to its leaching through machine components. However, the levels of PAEs did not exceed the specific migration limits (SMLs) set out for food contact materials (FCM), and exposure to PAEs from coffee beverages was low, justifying the small risk due of its consumption. Consequently, coffee can be considered a safe beverage for exposure to some phthalic acid esters (PAEs).

CITATION EXPORT

Salvatore Velotto, Jonathan Squillante, Agata Nolasco et al.. Occurrence of Phthalate Esters in Coffee and Risk Assessment. Foods. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12051106

AUTHORS

6 · 3 CENTRES

Salvatore Velotto, Jonathan Squillante, Agata Nolasco, Raffaele Romano, Teresa Cirillo, Francesco Esposito

1Department of Promotion of Human Sciences and the Quality of Life, University of Study of Roma “San Raffaele”, Via di Val Cannuta, 247, 00166 Roma, Italy
2Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Università, 100, 80055 Portici, Italy
3Department of Public Health, University of Naples Federico II, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, 80131 Naples, Italy

EDITOR / REVIEWER

Dirk W. Lachenmeier