Determination of migration of n-butyltins and n-octyltins to food simulants by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

FoodOmicsGR_RI. A Consortium for Comprehensive Molecular Characterisation of Food Products

The national infrastructure FoodOmicsGR_RI coordinates research efforts from eight Greek Universities and Research Centers in a network aiming to support research and development (R&D) in the agri-food sector. The goals of FoodOmicsGR_RI are the comprehensive in-depth characterization of foods using cutting-edge omics technologies and the support of dietary/nutrition studies. The network combines strong omics expertise with expert field/application scientists (food/nutrition sciences, plant protection/plant growth, animal husbandry, apiculture and 10 other fields). Human resources involve more than 60 staff scientists and more than 30 recruits. State-of-the-art technologies and instrumentation is available for the comprehensive mapping of the food composition and available genetic resources, the assessment of the distinct value of foods, and the effect of nutritional intervention on the metabolic profile of biological samples of consumers and animal models. The consortium has the know-how and expertise that covers the breadth of the Greek agri-food sector. Metabolomics teams have developed and implemented a variety of methods for profiling and quantitative analysis. The implementation plan includes the following research axes: development of a detailed database of Greek food constituents; exploitation of "omics" technologies to assess domestic agricultural biodiversity aiding authenticity-traceability control/certification of geographical/genetic origin; highlighting unique characteristics of Greek products with an emphasis on quality, sustainability and food safety; assessment of diet's effect on health and well-being; creating added value from agri-food waste. FoodOmicsGR_RI develops new tools to evaluate the nutritional value of Greek foods, study the role of traditional foods and Greek functional foods in the prevention of chronic diseases and support health claims of Greek traditional products. FoodOmicsGR_RI provides access to state-of-the-art facilities, unique, well-characterised sample sets, obtained from precision/experimental farming/breeding (milk, honey, meat, olive oil and so forth) along with more than 20 complementary scientific disciplines. FoodOmicsGR_RI is open for collaboration with national and international stakeholders.

Ultrasensitive determination of organotin compounds in plastic food packaging and edible oils by sheathless capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry

The determination of trace-amount organotins in plastic food packaging materials is of great significance in food safety. However, due to the complexity of organotins and sample treatment processes, it is still a challenging task. Here, we report a method for the sensitive and simultaneous determination of organotins in plastic food packaging materials and edible oils, by utilizing sheathless capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. The method of sample pretreatment with ultrasonic extraction and solid phase extraction is used to eliminate interference. The results showed low limits of detection (LODs) of 2 pg mL^-1-50 pg mL^-1 and excellent inter/intra-day repeatability. Good average recoveries in the range of 80.27% to 108.52% were obtained at three spiked concentrations, with a relative standard deviation less than 8.71%. The successful simultaneous determination of the target analytes will pave the way for further assessment of contamination and migration behaviour of organotins from packaging materials to food, which is of great significance for evaluating and controlling food safety.

Incorporating new approach methodologies in toxicity testing and exposure assessment for tiered risk assessment using the RISK21 approach: Case studies on food contact chemicals

Programs including the ToxCast project have generated large amounts of in vitro high‒throughput screening (HTS) data, and best approaches for the interpretation and use of HTS data, including for chemical safety assessment, remain to be evaluated. To fill this gap, we conducted case studies of two indirect food additive chemicals where ToxCast data were compared with in vivo toxicity data using the RISK21 approach. Two food contact substances, sodium (2-pyridylthio)-N-oxide and dibutyltin dichloride, were selected, and available exposure data, toxicity data, and model predictions were compiled and assessed. Oral equivalent doses for the ToxCast bioactivity data were determined by in-vitro in-vivo extrapolation (IVIVE). For sodium (2-pyridylthio)-N-oxide, bioactive concentrations in ToxCast assays corresponded to low-and no-observed adverse effect levels in animal studies. For dibutyltin dichloride, the ToxCast bioactive concentrations were below the dose range that demonstrated toxicity in animals; however, this was confounded by the lack of toxicokinetic data, necessitating the use of conservative toxicokinetic parameter estimates for IVIVE calculations. This study highlights the potential utility of the RISK21 approach for interpretation of the ToxCast HTS data, as well as the challenges involved in integrating in vitro HTS data into safety assessments.

Endocrine disrupting chemicals and other substances of concern in food contact materials: an updated review of exposure, effect and risk assessment

Food contact materials (FCM) are an underestimated source of chemical food contaminants and a potentially relevant route of human exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Quantifying the exposure of the general population to substances from FCM relies on estimates of food consumption and leaching into food. Recent studies using polycarbonate plastics show that food simulants do not always predict worst-case leaching of bisphenol A, a common FCM substance. Also, exposure of children to FCM substances is not always realistically predicted using the common conventions and thus possibly misjudged. Further, the exposure of the whole population to substances leaching into dry foods is underestimated. Consumers are exposed to low levels of substances from FCM across their entire lives. Effects of these compounds currently are assessed with a focus on mutagenicity and genotoxicity. This approach however neglects integrating recent new toxicological findings, like endocrine disruption, mixture toxicity, and developmental toxicity. According to these new toxicology paradigms women of childbearing age and during pregnancy are a new sensitive population group requiring more attention. Furthermore, in overweight and obese persons a change in the metabolism of xenobiotics is observed, possibly implying that this group of consumers is insufficiently protected by current risk assessment practice. Innovations in FCM risk assessment should therefore include routine testing for EDCs and an assessment of the whole migrate toxicity of a food packaging, taking into account all sensitive population groups. In this article I focus on recent issues of interest concerning either exposure to or effects of FCM-related substances. Further, I review the use of benzophenones and organotins, two groups of known or suspected EDCs, in FCM authorized in the US and EU.