To investigate the migration levels of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) in food-contact paper products sold in Shanghai and assess their potential health risks to the population.

A total of 119 samples including paper cups, paper plates, paper dishes and paper bowls were collected. According to the 2019 manual China national food contamination and harmful factors risk monitoring (volume II), 4 kinds of food simulants (10% ethanol, 4% acetic acid, olive oil and isooctane) were selected for migration tests. The extreme assumption method for food contact materials specified by the European Union and the consumption factor evaluation method adopted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were respectively applied, and a comprehensive evaluation was further conducted in combination with the partition coefficients of different migrants.

Statistically significant differences were observed in the detection rate, exceeding standard rate and migration amount of 3-MCPD in food-contact paper products among different food simulants (χ²=113.24, χ²=119.58, χ²=115.21, P<0.001). The detection rates in aqueous (10% ethanol) and acidic (4% acetic acid) simulants reached 71.43% and 73.95%, respectively, with exceeding standard rates of 68.91% and 70.59%, and average migration amounts of 57.79 μg/kg and 42.30 μg/kg. The detection rates and migration amounts in oily simulants (olive oil and isooctane) were relatively lower. No statistically significant differences were found in the detection rate, exceeding standard rate or migration amount of 3-MCPD among paper products for different purposes (P>0.05), except for the detection rate in isooctane simulant (χ²=6.03, P=0.049). There was no statistically significant difference in 3-MCPD migration of paper products among different sales channels (farmers’ markets, shopping malls and online stores) (P>0.05). Dietary exposure assessment showed that the general-exposure population (mean and median) exposure levels from 3-MCPD migration in 10% ethanol and 4% acetic acid simulants, as well as the high-exposure population(P₉₅) exposure levels from 10% ethanol, 4% acetic acid and isooctane simulants, exceeded 10% of the tolerable daily intake (TDI). The comprehensive dietary exposure calculated using the FDA partition coefficient also exceeded 10% of the TDI, which was likely to pose potential health risks.

Before the implementation of GB 4806.8—2022 National food safety standard-Food contact paper and board materials and their products, the residue of 3-MCPD in commercially available food-contact paper products is relatively serious, presenting certain health risks to the population. As an emerging high-concern contaminant in the field of food-contact paper products, the risks of such residues cannot be ignored. It is urgent to further strengthen relevant risk assessments and implement control measures for wet strength agents that may be the source. This study provides support for clarifying the migration characteristics and risks of 3-MCPD in food-contact paper, as well as for industrial pollution control and health protection.