Epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) is used as a plasticiser as well as a stabiliser for plastics
polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It is used in particular in closure gaskets for the
metal lids used to seal glass jars and bottles, forming the airtight seal needed to prevent
microbiological contamination of baby foods, where it can be employed at up to 40% of the
formulation weight of the gasket. There is thus a potential for migration into the food both
during sterilisation and storage