eng Enviro Research Publishers Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal 2347-467X 2322-0007 2026-04-10 14 1 460 476 10.12944/CRNFSJ.14.1.32 25757 article Andrea Kyla Mateo Carlos 1 Gabriel John Macapagal Manalo 2 Elyson Keith Ponce Encarnacion 1 Agaseve Famanilay Del Rosario 1 Josefino Antonio Tapang Mendoza 1 Anne Cardoza Alcantara 1 Department of Science and Technology – Industrial Technology Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Gen Luna Cor. Muralla St, Intramuros, Manila City, Metro Manila, Philippines Fermented and alcoholic foods in the Philippines were traditionally developed as naturally preserved products that are easily repackaged and sold in single-use polyethylene (PE) bags. However, these foods contain organic acids that enhance the migration of chemical constituents from the PE packaging. Although this is widely used throughout the country, local data on the migration of total residual contaminants (TRCs) from PE into fermented and alcoholic foods remain limited. This study is a modification of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) method, as recommended by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Philippines, to determine the TRCs migrating from monolayer PE samples into 20% (v/v) ethanol food simulant at 60 °C for 30 minutes. The validated method exhibited a detection limit of 0.96 mg/L (0.11 mg/dm²) and demonstrated acceptable repeatability and reproducibility, with precision values within the acceptable criteria (%RSD ≤ 11%) across low, mid, and high residue concentration levels. Furthermore, the profiling of fifteen commercially available PE samples revealed TRC concentrations ranging from 1.29 to 11.24 mg/L, which were all below the regulatory limit set by JETRO (30 mg/L) and Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (10 mg/dm2). Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference in TRC migration between low-density (LDPE) and high-density (HDPE) polyethylene samples, suggesting limited influence of polymer crystallinity under the conditions tested. While the findings provide scientific data for strengthening national policies, the effects of increasing alcohol concentrations, using other types of food products, and varying temperature and contact time conditions on TRC migration require follow through investigations. https://www.foodandnutritionjournal.org/volume14number1/profiling-of-total-residual-contaminants-migrating-from-philippine-based-polyethylene-packaging-to-fermented-and-alcoholic-foods/ Alcoholic Foods Chemical Migration Fermented Foods Food Packaging Polyethylene Total Residual Contaminants