Quantitative analysis and health risk assessment of bisphenols in selected canned foods using the modified QuEChERS method coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A QuEChERS-based extraction method, followed by derivatization prior to gas chromatography-mass spectrometric detection, was used to determine the presence and levels of bisphenol A and four of its derivatives in canned fish, baked beans and corned beef. The best conditions for derivatization of the five bisphenols were found to be 25°C over 60 min using a multivariate procedure based on central composite design and bis(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide as the derivatizing agent. Good method validation parameters were observed with recoveries ranging from 80% to 98% at three spiking levels, while method detection and quantitation limits were in the 0.794–3.81 and 2.41–11.5 µg kg−1 range, respectively. Bisphenol A was detected in all food categories (16.5–191 µg kg−1) while bisphenol B was detected in baked beans only with concentration ranges of 15.4–49.2 µg kg−1. The estimated daily intake for bisphenol A due to consumption of all the three food categories was estimated at 0.57 µg kg−1 bw per day. This value was within the temporary tolerable daily intake set by the European Union. A health risk assessment prediction using the hazard quotient showed that the potential for non-carcinogenic effects in adults due to a lifetime consumption of the studied canned foods was minimal but detrimental to vulnerable groups especially babies. In this regard, detection of these bisphenols in the studied food samples remains a concern and regular monitoring is necessary to ensure they remain within permissible migration levels. [Display omitted] •5 bisphenols have been quantified in selected canned food products in South Africa.•QuEChERS method followed by derivatization and GCMS was used as an analysis tool.•Optimal derivatization conditions were achieved using the CCD model based on BSFTA.•BPA and BPB were detected in the 16.5–191 µg kg−1 range but their health risk was low.•Detection of bisphenols shows their ubiquity in canned food sources in South Africa.