This information sheet summarizes key findings on the use of nonylphenol compounds in plastic food packaging.

Compounds derived from nonylphenol have been used in very low amounts for five decades to help stabilize certain plastics.

Nonylphenol (NP) is an ingredient used to produce tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite (TNPP) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), both of which are cleared for safe use in plastic food packaging by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. TNPP is used as an additive in some linear low density polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride films, high impact polystyrene and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. NPEs are used as additives in some polyolefin and polyvinyl chloride films and acrylic pigment coatings.

These stabilizing additives help preserve the quality of plastics that are used to make food packaging.

Based on the research, the use of nonylphenol compounds in plastic packaging does not present a health concern.

A 1998 study that measured potential migration of NP from plastic packaging concluded that the use of TNPP and NPEs in food packaging does not present a health concern. The study used Food and Drug Administration test protocols for establishing the safety of food contact plastics and concluded that the potential intake level of NP:
"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 potential human dietary exposure to NP from plastic packaging is at least a thousand times lower than animal dietary exposures that showed no effect on reproduction and development in a comprehensive, three-generation study by the U.S. government's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

The APE Research Council is not aware of any studies that suggest a health concern from the use of TNPP or NPEs in plastic food packaging.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration oversees the use of food packaging additives, such as nonylphenol compounds, to help ensure safety.

Published study on safety of TNPP in plastics available

For more information or copies of studies referenced above, please contact the APE Research Council.

The APE Research Council, composed of manufacturers, processors, users and raw material suppliers, is working with government and academic scientists to further the understanding of the human health and environmental profile of APs, APEs and APE biodegradation intermediates.