Alkylphenols (4-n-Nonylphenol and 4-n-Octylphenol) in Milk and Dairy Products, Beverages, and Vegetable Oils: Occurrence and Dietary Exposure in Türkiye

TL;DR

This study measures alkylphenol levels in various foods in Türkiye and identifies packaging and consumption patterns that increase exposure risks.

Contribution

The study is the first comprehensive assessment of 4-n-NP and 4-n-OP contamination in multiple food categories in Türkiye.

Findings

Vegetable oils had the highest average concentrations of 4-n-NP and 4-n-OP compared to other food categories.

Plastic and metal can containers were linked to higher alkylphenol migration in oily foods and some beverages.

High consumption of highly contaminated products like RTD chilled coffee and ayran significantly increases exposure risk.

Abstract

Alkylphenols, including 4-n-nonylphenol (4-n-NP) and 4-n-octylphenol (4-n-OP), are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that can migrate from the environment and food contact materials into food, posing potential public health risks. A total of 158 food samples were analyzed concerning the levels of these two chemicals, including milk and dairy products (n = 54), beverages (n = 79), and vegetable oils (n = 25). Average 4-n-NP/4-n-OP concentrations followed the order: vegetable oils (0.28 ± 0.24/0.76 ± 0.82 µg/L) > beverages (0.17 ± 0.20/0.24 ± 1.32 µg/L) > milk and dairy products (0.13 ± 0.26/0.23 ± 0.47 µg/L). Olive oil and ready-to-drink (RTD) chilled coffee showed the highest contamination levels within their categories, while UHT milk (4-n-NP) and ayran (4-n-OP) were notable among dairy products. Plastic and metal can containers were associated with higher alkylphenol migration, particularly in oily foods and some beverages, whereas carton packaging generally showed lower levels. Dietary exposure assessment indicated that the combination of high consumption and high contamination (e.g., RTD chilled coffee, energy drinks, ayran) markedly increased exposure risk. This study provides the first comprehensive comparative assessment of 4-n-NP and 4-n-OP contamination in multiple food categories in Türkiye, highlighting both product-specific and packaging-related risks.

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