Food Testing Services

Cinnaminson, NJ, April 23^rd, 2021

A large food manufacturer recently announced that the company was taking steps to work with its suppliers to eliminate any phthalates present in the packaging materials and food processing equipment that produces the companies cheese and cheese powder for their macaroni and cheese products.

Several years ago, a consortium of environmental health advocacy groups claimed to have found elevated concentrations of phthalates in some powders used in macaroni and cheese products from an assortment of manufacturers. The chemicals were reportedly found at varying concentrations in 29 of 30 cheese products examined.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics and vinyl more flexible and harder to break. Some phthalates are used as solvents for other materials, and they are in hundreds of consumer products. They can be found in some cosmetics and personal care products, including perfumes, hair sprays, soaps, shampoos, nail polish, and skin moisturizers. Phthalates are also used in consumer products such as flexible plastic, vinyl toys, shower curtains, wallpaper, vinyl flooring, mini-blinds, food packaging, and plastic wraps. They can even be found in some wood finishes, detergents, adhesives, plastic plumbing pipes, lubricants, medical tubing, fluid bags, insecticides, and various other materials.

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that people are potentially exposed to phthalates by consuming foods that have been in contact with containers and products containing them,” said Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President, Marketing at EMSL Analytical, Inc. “The agency also shares the fact that to a lesser extent, exposure can occur from inhaling air that contains phthalate vapors or dust contaminated with phthalate particles. Although all the human health effects of exposure to phthalates are not fully understood, some phthalates are suspected to be endocrine disruptors. Their use has already been restricted in certain childcare articles and toys since children can easily be exposed to the chemicals by chewing on contaminated items.”

EMSL Analytical provides comprehensive laboratory testing services to identify phthalates' presence in various foods, beverages, food packaging, consumer products, dust, and other environmental samples. They sponsored a video that discusses phthalates that can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/u5jA4JWa9p8.

Please visit www.EMSL.com or www.PhthalatesTesting.com, call (800) 220-3675, or email to learn more about phthalate testing services, at info@EMSL.com.


About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is one of the leading testing laboratories throughout the United States and Canada. EMSL is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider specializing in fast laboratory results for mold, bacteria, Legionella, USP <797>, pathogens, asbestos, lead, soot, char & ash from fires, VOC’s, odors, radon, formaldehyde, indoor air quality, microbiology, environmental, industrial hygiene, radiological, food, beverage & consumer products, and material testing services for the identification of unknown substances. EMSL services both professionals and the general public. EMSL maintains an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies including, but not limited to A2LA, AIHA-LAP, LLC (AIHA-LAP, LLC EMLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC IHLAP, AIHA-LAP, LLC ELLAP), NVLAP, CDC ELITE, CPSC, CA ELAP, NY ELAP, TX DOH, NJDEP, and multiple other state accrediting agencies. Please visit our website at www.EMSL.com for a complete listing of accreditations. In addition, EMSL carries a wide range of Sampling Equipment and Investigative Products for environmental professionals.