REGULATORY STATUS OF TNPP

Tris(nonylphenyl) phosphite (TNPP) has been used safely for decades as a stabilizer in certain plastics such as polyethylene. The stabilizing effect of additives, such as TNPP, help preserve the quality of plastics that are used to make food packaging. The US Food and Drug Administration has approved TNPP for safe use in plastic food packaging.

TNPP is a derivative of nonylphenol (NP). As a result, TNPP contains some residual NP and trace quantities of NP can potentially migrate out of the polymer matrix. A 1998 study that measured potential migration of NP from plastic packaging concluded that the use of TNPP in food packaging "is not a health concern since an estimate of the No Observed Adverse Effect Level for NP is several orders of magnitude greater than the potential daily intake of NP calculated from the use of TNPP and NPE in food-contact applications."

The US Food and Drug Administration has cleared the use of these compounds in plastic food packaging. Additionally, the European Union also investigated TNPP in its risk assessment of NP, and concluded that TNPP does not pose a health risk.

Periodically, questions are raised regarding whether there are any restrictions on the use of TNPP. To date, the APE Research Council is not aware of any federal or state restrictions on the use of TNPP.