Risk assessment for migration of styrene oligomers into food from polystyrene food containers.

Regulation EU 10/2011 requires a risk assessment of Non Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS) migrating into food for food contact plastics within the EU. Styrene oligomers are important potential components of NIAS in polystyrene used for food packaging and so far only dimers and trimers have been identified. They are not genotoxic in vitro, and there is good evidence that they are not endocrine disruptors.

Oligomers of styrene are not endocrine disruptors.

Oligomers of styrene have been identified in polystyrene (PS) polymer samples intended for food packaging. Such oligomers contribute to nonintentionally added substances (NIAS) that may migrate into food or food simulants and therefore have to be assessed for the potential risk to health. No oligomers larger than dimers and trimers of styrene have been found to be present in PS.