Avaliação da migração de metais e outros elementos provenientes de frigideiras para simulantes aquosos ácidos e gordurosos

Abstract

The interaction between cooking utensils and food can be either beneficial or harmful to health, making studies essential to ensure safe levels of exposure to potentially toxic elements. The materials used in the production of these utensils include stainless steel, aluminum, and cast iron, as well as surfaces coated with polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or ceramic coatings. In this context, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction of frying pans made from these materials with acidic and fatty food simulants, aiming to verify compliance with national regulations and make comparisons between the different types of samples analyzed. For this, characterization and chemical analysis techniques were employed to determine the composition of the frying pans and quantify the elements that could migrate from these samples into food simulants after exposure tests. The study also analyzed the influence of frying pan wear on the migration of elements into these simulants. Overall, the results showed that all the frying pans analyzed complied with the migration limits established by Brazilian regulations, according to the criteria set by the Health Surveillance Agency. In the comparative tests, none of the samples exhibited total migration above the detection limit of the method (21.89 mg/kg), either before or after wear. Regarding specific migration tests, the following elements were identified: (i) Al, Cu, Cr, and Fe in the stainless steel frying pan, with Fe showing the highest migration (1.96 mg/kg of simulant); (ii) Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Mn in the aluminum frying pan, with Al being the element of highest migration (26.8 mg/kg of simulant); (iii) Al, Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Sn, Fe, and Mn in the cast iron frying pan, with Fe being the element with the highest migration (6157.61 mg/kg of simulant); (iv) Al, Cd, Pb, Cu, and Fe in the aluminum frying pan with PTFE polymer coating, with Al predominating (1.46 mg/kg of simulant); and (v) Al, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Mn in the aluminum frying pan with ceramic coating, with Al being the element with the highest migration (2.12 mg/kg of simulant). In conclusion, it was possible to verify that studies of this nature are essential for defining safe limits for daily exposure to potentially toxic elements, contributing to the mitigation of health risks and the improvement of regulatory criteria for utensils intended for contact with food. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]