Irgafos 168 in food: ingestion safety

What is irgafos 168?

The IUPAC name is tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite.

Also known as: tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite, Tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite, Phosphite antioxidant, 4-MORPHOLIN-4-YL-PIPERIDINE-1-CARBOXYLIC ACID [1-(3-BENZENESULFONYL-1-PROPYL-ALLYLCARBAMOYL)-2-PHENYLETHYL]-AMIDE.

IUPAC name

tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite

CAS number

31570-04-4

Molecular formula

C42H63O3P

Molecular weight

646.93 g/mol

SMILES

CCCC(C=CS(=O)(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1)NC(=O)C(CC2=CC=CC=C2)NC(=O)N3CCC(CC3)N4CCOCC4

PubChem CID

6323426

Regulatory consensus

2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Irgafos 168. The classifications differ — that's the data.

Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.

Where you encounter irgafos 168

• polyolefins
• polyesters
• food_packaging
• polyvinyl_chloride
• polymer_blends

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Irgafos 168:

• Bio-based plasticizers (epoxidized soybean oil, citrate esters)
  Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
  Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
• Non-phthalate plasticizers (DINCH, DEHT) where phthalates are currently used
  Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
  Relative cost: 1.2-2×
• Additive-free polymer formulations where performance allows
  Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
  Relative cost: Lower (ingredient elimination)

Frequently asked questions