Does PET contain phthalates?

PET contains no phthalates.  Phthalates are low molecular weight monoesters made from ortho-phthalic acid. By comparison, PET is high molecular weight polyester made from tere-phthalic acid and these forms are chemically very different.  Phthalates (ie phthalate ester plasticizers) are not used in the manufacture of PET, and PET itself is not a phthalate.  Plasticizer phthalates are sometimes used to soften other types of plastic, but they are not used in PET.   Some consumers may have incorrectly assumed that PET is a phthalate because PET's chemical name is polyethylene terephthalate.