Food packaging testing

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that might migrate from a food contact material into the food. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulants A, B, and C are assigned for foods that have a hydrophilic character and can extract hydrophilic substances. To comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, the overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). The starting price applies to single-use materials and articles. We also offer migration testing with simulant A for repeated-use articles. Do not hesitate to request an offer.

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that migrate from a food contact material into the food. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulants A, B, and C are assigned for foods that have a hydrophilic character and can extract hydrophilic substances. Food simulant B shall be used for foods with a pH below 4.5. In order to comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, the overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). The lower end of the displayed price range applies to single-use materials and the higher end to repeated-use materials.

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the compounds that might migrate from a food contact material into food. We offer OM testing with simulant D1 for both single-use articles (lower displayed price) and repeated-use articles (higher displayed price). According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulants D1 and D2 are assigned for testing migration into foods that have a lipophilic character and are capable of extracting lipophilic substances. Food simulant D1 shall be used for alcoholic foods with alcohol content above 20%, milk and dairy products, and oil-in-water emulsions. To comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, migration must not exceed the overall migration limit (OML) of 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg).

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that migrate from a food contact material into the food. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulants D1 and D2 are assigned for foods that have a lipophilic character and are able to extract lipophilic substances. Food simulant D2 shall be used for foods that contain free fats at the surface. In order to comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, the overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). We offer testing for both single-use and repeated-use articles. Due to the destructive nature of simulant D2, repeated-use tests are carried out on three sets of sample material with varying exposure times.

Overall migration (OML) testing with simulants A, B, and D2 is used to ensure the compliance of food packaging, cling film, freezer bags, nitrile gloves, takeaway boxes, and all other materials or articles that are intended for contact with all types of foods. Overall migration is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that migrate from the food contact material into food. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, materials and articles intended for contact with all types of food shall be tested with food simulants A (10% ethanol), B (3% acetic acid), and D2 (olive oil). To comply with the regulation, overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). If testing with simulant D2 is not technically feasible, it is substituted with simulants D2e (95% ethanol) and D2i (isooctane). In case the contact temperature exceeds 100 °C, testing overall migration with simulant E (Tenax) is also necessary (not included in the cost). Our experts will provide guidance for selecting the appropriate simulants and migration conditions. Do not hesitate to ask for more information or a quote for testing repeated-use articles (the displayed price applies to single-use materials).

Overall migration (OM) into simulant E (Tenax) measures the sum of volatile and semi-volatile compounds that migrate from a food contact material into food via the gas phase. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulant E is assigned for materials that are intended for contact with dry foods (e.g., salt, dried spices, semolina, sugar) or which can be considered to have a dry surface (e.g. unpeeled fruits, frozen foods). Simulant E can be also used if the tested material absorbs or is otherwise not able to withstand a liquid simulant (e.g. uncoated paper, napkins, tissue paper). Due to its thermal stability, Tenax is used as a simulant for the overall migration testing of materials intended for high-temperature applications (> 100 °C) if testing with olive oil is not technically feasible. Typical instances include e.g. ovenable paperboard packaging, baking paper, cooking utensils made from polyamide, and ovenable silicone molds. The test methods intended for plastics and paper have been described in standards EN 1186-13 (method B) and EN 14338, respectively. The standard overall migration limit (OML) is either 10 mg/dm2 or 60 mg/kg, depending on the regulation. Compliance can be evaluated according to various regulations/guidelines; see Table 1 for details. Table 1. Examples of available safety references for compliance evaluation of the results. Material Regulatory or other safety reference Plastics Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (Uncoated) paper and board Resolution CM/Res(2020)9; DGCCRF MCDA sheet n°4 (V02 – 01/01/2019) Silicone Silicones Europe guidelines; French Arrêté du 25 novembre 1992 Rubber BfR XXI Coatings, varnishes, adhesives Regulation (EU) No 10/2011

Determination of the specific migration of elements listed in Annex II of Commission Regulation (EU) No 2020/1245 (15th amendment of the Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011). The Annex lists the following elements and specific migration limits (SMLs) for each element: Element Symbol SML [mg/kg] Cadmium Cd Not detectable (LOD 0.002) Arsenic As Not detectable (LOD 0.01) Lead Pb Not detectable (LOD 0.01) Mercury Hg Not detectable (LOD 0.01) Chromium Cr Not detectable (LOD 0.01) Nickel Ni 0.02 Antimony Sb 0.04 Cobalt Co 0.05 Europium Eu 0.05 (sum) Gadolinium Gd Lanthanum La Terbium Tb Lithium Li 0.6 Manganese Mn 0.6 Aluminium Al 1 Barium Ba 1 Copper Cu 5 Zinc Zn 5 Iron Fe 48 Calcium Ca - Magnesium Mg - Potassium K - Sodium Na - The service is available with all conventional food simulants: Water-based simulants: water, 3% acetic acid, 10% ethanol, 20% ethanol, 50% ethanol (simulants A, B, C, and D1), Solvent simulants: 95% ethanol, isooctane (simulants D2e and D2i), Vegetable oil (simulant D2), Tenax adsorbent (simulant E). The cost of the analysis depends on the number of samples, the desired scope of testing, and the food simulant used.

Specific migration of formaldehyde [CAS 50-00-0; Ref No 17260/54880; FCM 98] from a plastic food contact material. The compound is listed under FCM 98 in Annex I of European Regulation No 10/2011. Formaldehyde is grouped with FCM 196 and FCM 344 in Group 15. Together, the compounds have a specific migration limit (SML) of 15 mg/kg (expressed as formaldehyde). We also offer testing for fiber-based food contact materials - see formaldehyde content in extracts of paper and board.

Analysis of the migration of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) into selected food simulant. NIAS have various sources and can be grouped into side products, breakdown products, and contaminants. The service is available with the following simulants: Water, 3% acetic acid, 10%, 20%, 50%, and 95% ethanol, and isooctane - suitable for plastic materials and materials with polymer coatings, Dry food simulant (Tenax) - also suitable for materials that cannot withstand liquid simulants (e.g. paper and board). The lower displayed price covers testing with liquid simulants and the higher with Tenax. A simple risk assessment based on EU regulations for food contact materials and EFSA's Threshold of Toxicological Concern (TTC) approach is included in the cost. More extensive risk assessment is available upon request.

Determination of the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) according to the ASTM F1249 standard. WVTR describes the amount of water vapor that passes through a material over a set period. It is an important quality indicator in food and cosmetics packaging, as an effective moisture barrier is critical to keeping products fresh and preventing spoilage. In this WVTR test, two samples per material are measured simultaneously to ensure the reliability of the measurement. The results are expressed as g/m²/day. Please disclose the desired temperature (from 18 to 40°C) and the desired relative humidity (from 20% to 100%) when placing the order. This measurement is applicable for plastic films and sheeting materials with WVTR values between 0.005 and 2400 g/m²/day. If you wish to test finished packaging instead, check out the WVTR measurement for packages.

Determination of the oxygen transmission rate of plastic films and sheet-like materials. The test is performed on two parallel samples simultaneously. Measurement conditions (temperature and relative humidity) can be chosen according to the intended use of the material. Oxygen permeability is typically measured at 23 °C and 0% relative humidity as per standard ASTM D3985. In moist conditions, for example at 38 °C and 90% relative humidity, standard ASTM F1927 is used. Please disclose the desired temperature (from 10 °C to 38 °C) and relative humidity (either 0% or from 20% to 90%) upon ordering. This measurement is suitable for plastic films with OTR values between 0.05 to 20 000 cm³/(m² * day).

Standard DIN 10955 specifies test methods for the sensory analysis of food contact materials and articles that are intended for direct food contact. This analysis is performed according to the standard to determine the migration of odor and flavor from the packaging material into the food. By default, test is performed as Difference from Control-Test (DfC-Test) with a scoring scale. Test is also available as a triangle test for an additional cost.

Standards EN 1230-1 and EN 1230-2 specify the testing procedure for assessing the odor and flavor released by food contact materials made of paper or board. This analysis applies to all kinds of paper and board, including coated and/or printed materials, intended to come into direct or indirect contact with food.