Can phthalates show up in packaged hot pot bases?
Yes. A 2026 Toxics study found DEHP in 55% and DBP in 32% of tested hot pot base samples, while calculated hazard quotients stayed below 1.
What is actually in it
Phthalates are plasticizers. Two common ones are DBP, or dibutyl phthalate, and DEHP, or bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. They can contaminate foods through packaging, processing, or contact with plastic materials.
Hot pot bases can be high in oil. Oily foods deserve extra care because fat can carry some packaging-related chemicals more easily than water does.
What the research says
A 2026 Toxics study tested 91 hot pot base samples for DBP and DEHP. DEHP was detected in 55% of samples, and DBP was detected in 32%.
The researchers used 10,000-iteration Monte Carlo simulations to estimate dietary risk for Chinese demographic groups. All hazard quotients stayed below the safety threshold of 1. Children ages 7 to 13 had the highest calculated risk, with maximum DEHP hazard quotient 0.68.
That means the study found contamination and a higher relative concern for children, but it did not find intake above the modeled safety threshold. The honest takeaway is caution with oily packaged foods, not panic.
What to do next
Do not heat oily food in plastic packaging. Transfer broth bases or leftovers into glass, stainless steel, or ceramic before warming. Use glass storage for oily sauces, soups, and leftovers when possible.