Trends in Food Science and Technology
Volume 91, 2019, Pages 248-261

Migration of styrene monomer from polystyrene packaging materials into foods: Characterization and safety evaluation (Review)

Pilevar Z. , Bahrami A. , Beikzadeh S. , Hosseini H. , Jafari S.M.*
  • a Student Research Committee, Department of Food Science and Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • b Program of Applied Science and Technology, Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Kannapolis, NC 28081, United States
  • c Student Research Committee, Department of Food Science and Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • d Department of Food Science and Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Faculty of Nutrition Sciences and Food Technology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • e Faculty of Food Science & Technology, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran

Abstract

Background: Polystyrene (PS) is extensively used in diverse forms for packaging of many food products such as meat, dairy and bakery products. There is a potential migration of styrene monomer from PS packages into the foods which are in contact with them. Scope and approach: This study aims at reviewing the representative styrene migration from PS packages material into the correspondence foods and discusses the addressed parameters affecting the styrene migration. The analytical methods for detecting styrene monomer in food products and PS packaging materials is also covered in this study. The possible safety and health issues related to the styrene monomer migration will be covered too. Key findings and conclusions: The quality of PS packaging material in terms of their styrene monomer residue level and the storage conditions of foods can greatly affect styrene migration. Also, the food characteristics such as fat content, pH, etc. can significantly affect styrene migration. Although styrene monomer is considered as a non-toxic compound, its migration into the foods can downgrade sensorial properties as well as resulting in health problems. In some cases, the presence of styrene in foods can make carcinogenic, hematological, cytogenetic, and neurotoxic issues. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd

Author Keywords

Migration Food Packaging materials Styrene Safety

Index Keywords

Accident Prevention Non-toxic compounds Storage condition packaging Polystyrenes Analytical method Safety evaluations Packaging materials Styrene food safety Bakery products Styrene monomer Safety and healths Food products Sensorial properties migration
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85069861100&doi=10.1016%2fj.tifs.2019.07.020&partnerID=40&md5=1a4efaf1e69c1fd32df05ad830c965c8
DOI: 10.1016/j.tifs.2019.07.020
ISSN: 09242244
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English