Canadian Total Diet Study - DEHA, DEHP and other Phthalates 2011, 2013, 2014 (2015A)

DEHA Di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) is widely used as a plasticizer in food contact materials, such as PVC food wrapping or cling films used to rewrap meat poultry, fish, cheese, and other foods. DEHA can also be found in PVC gaskets of lids for glass jars. Like other plasticizers, DEHA is not chemically bound to the polymer and has been found at very low levels in foods due to migration from the cling films. Repeated oral exposure to DEHA may be associated with liver, kidney, reproductive, and developmental effects. Although an adequate margin of safety exists for current exposure to DEHA via foods, Health Canada conducts targeted surveys of DEHA in foods to better define Canadian exposure to DEHA through dietary intake. If a potential concern to human health is identified, immediate and appropriate action will be taken. Phthalates are a group of diesters of phthalic acid (dialkyl or alkyl aryl esters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid). Higher molecular weight phthalates, such as di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), are primarily used as plasticizers to soften polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products, while low molecular weight phthalates, such as di-ethyl phthalate (DEP), may be used…

Publisher

Health Canada

Resources

4

Catalogue metadata updated

2025-06-11