Determination of Phthalates Migrating from Plastic Containers into Beverages

The determination of phthalates in beverages (soda, lemonade, cola, mineral water) sold in Turkish markets was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The mean phthalate concentrations were determined to be between 0.095 and 0.633 mg/L in soda, 0.018 and 1.219 mg/L in lemonade, 0.019 and 1.123 mg/L in cola, and 0.085 and 0.312 mg/L in mineral water. bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) showed the highest level of migration into beverages. Furthermore, the influence of the type of preservative (sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate + potassium sorbate) and storage time were determined.