Your Hot Pot Is Leaching Phthalates Into Your Food
NonToxCo Research
Science & Safety Team · 4/8/2026
Hot pot fans: phthalates are leaching from the packaging into your hot pot base. A new study measured the risk.
Phthalates in Hot Pot
A 2026 study in Toxics assessed the risk of DBP and DEHP phthalates in hot pot bases using hybrid modeling. Hot pot bases are often packaged in flexible plastic that contains phthalates. When the base is heated, those chemicals migrate into the food at higher rates.
DBP and DEHP are both endocrine disruptors. They're especially concerning because hot pot involves sustained high temperatures and oily broth, both of which accelerate chemical leaching.
What You Can Do
Make your own hot pot broth from scratch. If using packaged bases, transfer to glass before heating. Avoid heating food in its original plastic packaging. Browse non-toxic kitchen alternatives for safer cookware.
Source: Authors (2026). Toxics.