Extraction with supercritical carbon dioxide was used to quantify the amounts of seven different aroma vapours sorbed in polyethene films. The method was found to completely extract all aroma compounds from the films. The solution of aroma compounds in the polymer films decreased with increasing polymer density. Monoterpenes were always completely sorbed in the films, whereas aldehydes and ketones had a much lower affinity for the films. The sulphurcontaining compound, thiophene, was difficult to analyse due to its adsorption on metal surfaces. © 1993 SCI.