The aim of the focus action was to check compliance with the legal requirements for plasticizers that transfer from twist-off lid seals into fatty foods. A total of 49 samples from all over Austria were examined. Seven samples were rejected:

• six samples were rejected due to exceeding limits for the plasticizers ESBO (epoxidized soybean oil), acetyl tributyl citrate and dibutyl sebacate
• one sample was objected due to adverse effect on foodstuffs

on one lid, no phthalates were found in the sealing materials. In the food samples, however, they were frequently detected in small quantities, whereby the specific migration limits were not exceeded in any case. All phthalates are now classified as toxic to reproduction and should therefore be avoided as far as possible. Other plasticizer alternatives, such as ESBO (epoxidized soybean oil) and acetyltributyl citrate, exhibit high fat solubility and therefore also represent a source of contamination for food. However, plasticizer- and PVC-free alternatives for screw caps are already available.