Do Acetaldehyde and Formaldehyde From PET Bottles Result in Unacceptable Flavor or Aroma in Bottled Water?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bottles made from PET contain acetaldehyde and formaldehyde?
Yes. All PET food containers such as water bottles contain trace (parts per million) amounts of acetaldehyde and lesser amounts of formaldehyde. These aldehydes are unavoidable byproducts or decomposition products of PET manufacture and bottle fabrication. Proper manufacturing conditions minimize the formation of these aldehydes.
Can acetaldehyde or formaldehyde migrate to water bottled in PET bottles?
Yes. But only very small amounts of these aldehydes may migrate to water packaged in PET bottles.
Can acetaldehyde and formaldehyde be found in places other than PET bottles?
Yes. Acetaldehyde and formaldehyde are naturally occurring substances that are found in foods at much higher levels than would be present in PET or in water packaged in PET bottles. Foods that contain acetaldehyde include many ripe fruits e.g., apples, grapes and citrus fruits at levels up to 230 ppm. It is produced during the fermentation of sugar to alcohol, and is a natural constituent of butter, olives, frozen vegetables and cheese. It forms in wine and other alcoholic beverages up 140 ppm after exposure to air. Acetaldehyde and formaldehyde are also formed in the body when certain foods are digested. For example, alcohol is converted to acetaldehyde in the body.
Do the acetaldehyde or formaldehyde that migrate to bottled water affect the taste of the water?
For a few individuals with highly developed olfactory senses, yes. The amount of aldehydes present in bottled water is generally well below the level that can be detected by average consumers. Highly trained taste specialists at times can detect the faint fruity taste conferred to the water by these aldehydes.
Are the acetaldehyde or formaldehyde that migrate to bottled water harmful to health?
No. The amount of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde that may migrate to the water is well under the “tolerable daily intakes” (safety limits) established for these materials by the European Scientific Committee for Food and other regulatory bodies.
Do PET water bottles comply with food packaging regulations in Europe and the US?
Yes. PET water bottles made using good manufacturing practices comply in all respects with food packaging regulations in Europe and in the US.