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May 2015 P R A C T I C A L W I N E R Y & V I N E YA R D 71 P A C K A G I N G products and therefore can leach into foodstuffs. 57 The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limits phthal- ates according to the Phthalates Action Plan, because the amount of leaching into water sources can be toxic to terres- trial and aquatic animals. 35,50 The most common phthalate is dieth- ylhexyl phthalate (DEHP, CAS 117-81-7), which is regulated under the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act at a maximum con- tamination limit of 0.006 mg/L. 49 DEHP is classified by the EPA as a class B2 prob- able human carcinogen and acts as an endocrine disruptor in the body. 57 Polyethylene is generally considered to be plasticizer-free. Polyethylene poly- as well as antimony, the catalyst used in PET production, especially if stored at elevated temperatures. In some cases, concentrations of phthalates and antimony in PET-bottled water have been reported to exceed regu- lated limits. 23,36,46 Recycled PET could be a source of other chemical compounds that may have health implications. Plastics and plastic additives in wine Plasticizer contamination is common through storage in plastic containers and possible pollution of raw materials. Recent incidents with plasticizer contam- ination include a food safety emergency in Taiwan in May 2011. 24,55 Plasticizers have also been found in Chinese baijiu, a white spirit usually dis- tilled from sorghum or other grains. The Jiungui liquor company found that sam- ples of the product contained 1.04 mg/kg of DBP, which is more than three times higher than the 0.3 mg/kg standard set by the Ministry of Health in June 2011. 9,58 Large-scale tests of China's liquor have shown that almost all alcohol products contain an average level of 0.537 mg/ kg of plasticizers. 59 DBP and diisobutyl phthalate were found in more than 94% of food samples, but they were signifi- mers provide ranges of flexibility suitable for various uses and therefore usually do not require plasticizers to alter their flex- ibility, and bisphenols are not required in their manufacture. Nevertheless, a study that investigated children's exposure to DEHP and di-n- butylphthalate (DBP) from school meals found that the estimated daily intake for these chemicals was variable but could reach levels near the tolerable daily intake levels set by the European Food Safety Authority. 10 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), also known as Dacron, or polyester, is used for bottled water and fruit juices and has been shown to be a source of phthalates Chemical class Compound Abbr. Limits Phthalate Dimethyl phthalate DMP Diethyl phthalate DEP n-Dibutyl phthalate DBP Diisobutyl Phthalate DIBP Butyl cyclohexyl phthalate BcEP Butyl benzyl phthalate BBP Bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP 0.006 mg/L 49,51 Bisphenol Bisphenol A BPA 0.05 mg/kg/day 15,48 Bisphenol S BPS Organochloride Vinyl chloride VCM 0.002 mg/L 49,51 Table 1. Common phthalate esters, bisphenols and organochloride.