Aluminium utensils: Is it a concern?

Aluminium utensils are ubiquitous in Indian households and other developing countries. Concerns have recently been raised on the pathological effects of aluminium on the human body, due to its leaching from utensils with long-term use, which has been associated with certain clinical conditions such as anaemia, dementia and osteo-malacia. While some studies suggest that cooking in utensils or aluminium foils is safe, others suggest that it may lead to toxic levels of aluminium in the body. However, studies have shown that leaching of aluminium from cooking utensils depends on many factors such as pH, temperature and cooking medium. In healthy controls, 0.01 %-1 % of orally ingested aluminium is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is eliminated by the kidney. Although the metal has a tendency to accumulate in tissues and may result in their dysfunction, the literature suggests that the apprehension is more apt in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. This article offers solutions to mitigate the risk of aluminium toxicity.

[Interlaboratory study on migration test of cadmium and lead for food contact articles].

An interlaboratory study was performed to evaluate a migration test method of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), based on the Japanese Food Sanitation Law for glassware, ceramicware, enamelware and metal cans. Seventeen laboratories participated, and quantified Cd and Pb in eight test solutions as blind duplicates using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) or induced coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Statistical analysis revealed that the trueness, repeatability (RSDr) and reproducibility (RSDr) were 93-105%, 0.7-8.4% and 2.6-19.3% by using AAS, ICP-OES and ICP-MS (internal standard method). The performance of these methods is sufficient for testing specifications. However, some of the RSDr values exceeded 10% in GF-AAS, and careful control of accuracy is required.

Forensic discrimination of three common brands of kitchen knives in China by ICP-AES and infrared absorption.

A block of an injury instrument will be left in wounds sometimes, and the suspect instrument can be discriminated by comparison with the block that was left through elemental analysis. In this study, three brands (Shibazi, Zhangxiaoquan, Qiaoxifu) of kitchen knives with forged, chop, and slice application series were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) and Infrared Absorption to investigate the type, number of elements and the reference range used for comparing. The results show that when regarding one or more element as the discriminative threshold, together with 5% relative standard deviation (RSD) as the reference range, all the samples could be distinguished among different series. Furthermore, within the same series, the discriminative capability could reach up to 88.57% for all samples. In addition, elements with high content, such as Cr, Mn, and C, were useful to discriminate among different series, and trace elements, such as Ni, Si, and Cu, were useful within the same series. However, in practice, it is necessary to evaluate the accuracy of the method by Standard Reference Material (SRM) before an examination is performed.

Release of bisphenol A from polycarbonate: a review.

The release of Bisphenol A (BPA) from polycarbonate baby bottles into food and food simulants is reviewed in the perspective of the current intensive discussions on the risks of this substance. Potential factors that have been reported to influence the release of BPA are reviewed. Unlike most polymers polycarbonate is hydrolyzed under alkaline conditions by scale formation, residual alkaline detergents and boiled water. Data suggest that brushing of the bottle did not raise the release of BPA. Claims that used bottles release more BPA than new bottles and that mineral composition of the aqueous food simulant affect release could not be substantiated. There are indications that aminolysis of polycarbonate by milk and ethanolysis of polycarbonate by 50% ethanol might take place under relevant test conditions. The relatively few migration data following the test conditions of European food contact material legislation, comply with the specific migration limit. Two test conditions were identified that reflect real use and exposure, and might cause higher release of BPA compared to the test conditions of European food contact material legislation. Further detailed studies are necessary to verify whether these two exposure scenarios are more severe.

Migration of N-nitrosamines, N-nitrosatable substances and 2-mercaptobenzthiazol from baby bottle teats and soothers: a Dutch retail survey.

In 2001, a retail market survey of 19 samples of teats and soothers was performed in the Netherlands. The migration of 2-mercaptobenzthiazol (MBT), N-nitrosamines and nitrosatable substances was measured. A screening was also performed for other potential migrants. Of the soothers, shield size and yield strength were determined. Most of the teats and soothers on the Dutch market were made of silicone rubber, although a few were made of natural rubber. The migration of N-nitrosamines and nitrosatable substances was far below the migration limit of 0.01 and 0.1 mg kg(-1) teat, respectively, with the exception of one natural rubber soother. For this soother, the migration of nitrosatable substances was 0.23 mg kg(-1) and measures were therefore taken against the supplier. MBT was detected in only one natural rubber sample, migration being well below the limit of 0.3 mg/teat. The extractable substances in the silicone teats and soothers are siloxanes. From the two natural rubber products, substances were extracted that were not on the positive list of the Dutch Packaging and Food-Utensils Regulation. Most of these substances are allowed in other countries, or authorized for plastic food contact materials. The size of the shields of all soothers and yield strengths were in compliance with the Regulation.