Abstract: An analytical method using gas chromatography mass spectrometry（GC-MS）has been developed for the quantification of acetaldehyde migration from PET bottles into liquid food. The effect of time, temperature and food stimulant（the aqueous stimulant, the acid stimulant and the alcoholic stimulant）has been tested on the migration of acetaldehyde. The results showed storage time and temperature were positively correlated with migration of acetaldehyde in all stimulants. Different food stimulants led to different levels of acetaldehyde migration at the same storage temperature. The migration level of acetaldehyde in the alcoholic stimulant was much higher than the one in the acid stimulant and the aqueous stimulant.

Key words: polyethylene terephthalate, acetaldehyde, gas chromatography, migration behavior