A multi-technique approach for the quantification of 60 plasticizers and selected additives using GC- and LC-MS/MS and its application for beverages in the BfR MEAL study

The development of multi-analyte methods is always challenging, especially when the target compounds derive from many different substance classes. We present an approach to analyze up to 60 additives – mainly plasticizer – including 28 phthalates and 32 further compounds such as sebacates, adipates, citrates, fatty acid amides, among others. Our multi-analyte multi-technique approach combines a single sample preparation step with one GC-MS/MS and two LC-MS/MS quantification methods. We demonstrate the applicability for beverages by a full validation in tomato juice matrix and determining the recoveries in apple juice, mulled wine, and spirits. The approach features good reproducibilities and high precisions with limits of quantification in the low µg·kg−1 food range, enabling the method to be applied for enforcement and especially for exposure investigations. In course of the BfR MEAL study, 16 pooled beverage samples were examined and - if at all - analytes were found only in very low concentrations.