Antimony

A toxic trace element, symbol Sb, that can reach foods through environmental contamination or migration from materials. Its most familiar food-contact route is PET plastic: antimony trioxide, used as a polymerisation catalyst, can migrate from bottles into water and soft drinks, especially when stored warm. Toxicologically it resembles arsenic, harming the heart, liver and blood at elevated exposures. Regulators set migration and drinking-water limits, and surveillance programmes test bottled water and packaged foods. Manufacturers have responded with improved polymerisation processes and alternative catalysts to drive residual antimony ever lower.