Phthalate

A phthalate is a member of a family of chemicals used in the manufacture of some plastics and other materials, often to provide flexibility or other performance properties.

Some phthalates can migrate from food-contact materials into food. However, phthalates are not a single substance, and individual members of the group can differ substantially in their uses, exposure patterns, and toxicological properties.

QUICK FACT

“Phthalates” refers to a chemical family, not one chemical with one risk profile.

COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH

  • Plasticizer: a functional category; not every plasticizer is a phthalate.
  • PFAS: a different and very large family of fluorinated chemicals.

SEE ALSO

Clinical & Educational Context

Discussed in Health Articles & Guides

Explore how "Phthalate" is covered across our evidence-based editorial guides:

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