[Contribution to the migration and toxicology of 2-(2'-hydroxy-3'-tert-butyl-5'-methylpheny)-5-chlorobenzotriazole].

Studies on the use of an ultraviolet-absorbing agent based on hydroxybenzotriazole for commodities of low-pressure and high-pressure polyethylene and polypropylene show that the migration is only slight in aqueous and acidic foods and in foodstuffs with low alcohol content. Sunflower oil, n-heptane (as a fat-stimulating test solution) and 50% ethanol as test solutions yielded higher migration values. Gas chromatographic, polarographic and thin-layer chromatographic methods were used to determine the ultraviolet-absorbing agent. Concerns about a possible photosensitizing effect of 2-(2'-hydroxy-3'-tert-butyl-5'-methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole were experimentally tested and turned out to be unfounded. From the viewpoint of safety, there are no contraindications to the use of polyolefines in packing materials for most foods. As to fat-containing and strongly alcoholic foodstuffs, the authorization should be conditioned on the circumstances of use.