Bisphenol A (BPA) Contamination in Whole Milk Marketed in Different Packages

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA), an important endocrine disruptor, is used in the manufacturing of various materials, including food packaging. Ingestion of contaminated foodstuffs is, in fact, the most relevant form of exposure to this substance. However, scarce data on the presence of this contaminant in milk, or whether different types of food packaging influence food contamination are available in Brazil. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the BPA contamination of whole milk (fluid and powder) samples packaged in different types of packaging (Tetra Pak®; PET: Poly (ethylene terephthalate; Metallic can (epoxy resin); Polyethylene (PE) and poly (vinylidene chloride) (PVDC); Laminated Film - Metallized Polyester-Polyethylene and glass) and marketed metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. An analytical method for the BPA determination in milk was optimized for both fluid (pasteurized and ultra-high temperature) and powdered milk samples. A modified QuEChERS method was applied, and BPA determinations were conducted by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with sequential mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The validated method was then applied to 51 milk samples, where BPA was detected in five samples (9.8%) and quantified in two (3.8%).