Concentration and survey of phthalic acid esters in edible vegetable oils and oilseeds by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in China

• A GC–MS method for analysis PAEs in edible oils and oilseeds was established.
• Five PAEs occurrence in edible oils and oilseeds from China was analyzed.
• A high variability of PAE levels between different oil and oilseed types was observed.
• 5 and 13 oil samples exceeded the MRL 1.5 and 0.3 mg/kg for DEHP and DBP set by China.

Now, there is a lack of information regarding the occurrence and the content of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) contamination in edible vegetable oils and oilseeds used for oil production in China. In this study, a method for determination of five PAEs was developed based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Method recoveries for oils and oilseeds were 72.4–103.0% and 77.2–98.8%, respectively. RSDs of five analytes in oils and oilseeds were ranging from 1.22 to 8.64% and 0.62–9.37%, respectively. The LODs and LOQs were ranging from 0.10 to 0.79 and 0.33–2.60 μg/kg, respectively. Based on the established method, PAE concentrations in thirty-four edible oils and twenty-eight oilseeds were evaluated. Five and thirteen oil samples exceeded the upper limits 1.5 and 0.3 mg/kg set for di(2-ethtlhexyl) phthalate and dibutyl phthalate in China, respectively. The results obtained indicated that more concern and comprehensive legislation are still needed and mulriple issues should be considered when it comes to the PAEs contamination in edible vegetable oils.