Overall migration test for plastic food contact materials

What is overall migration testing?

Migration stands for the transfer of chemicals from one material to another. In this case, chemicals may transfer from a food contact material to food. Migration testing is a crucial step in product development and quality control of plastic food contact materials.

EU No. 10/2011 “plastic regulation" defines the appropriate testing conditions and food simulants for different food products. The combination of food simulants A, B, and D2 covers the testing for all types of foods. Simulants A (10% ethanol) and B (3% acetic acid) are assigned for foods with hydrophilic properties, and simulant D2 (vegetable oil) is meant for foods with lipophilic properties, in other words, fatty foods.

Migration testing of food packaging is often performed by mimicking the worst-case scenario. This means that the tests are done in the most unfavorable foreseeable conditions in terms of temperature and testing time. If the product is meant to be used in multiple different temperatures, for example, storage at room temperature before opening and in a refrigerator after opening, the testing will be performed in all conditions using the same simulants, again mimicking the most unfavorable conditions every time.

What is the difference between overall migration and specific migration?

Overall migration is the total amount of components migrating from the material to the food, while specific migration refers to the amount migrated of one specific component. Specific migration limits are determined based on the toxicological hazard that each substance causes, and the limits thus vary across different substances.

Simulants used in migration tests

• Food simulant A: 10% ethanol (v/v)

• Food simulant B: 3% acetic acid (w/v)

• Food simulant C: 20% ethanol (v/v)

• Food simulant D1: 50% ethanol (v/v)

• Food simulant D2: Any vegetable oil containing less than 1% unsaponifiable matter

• Food simulant E: poly (2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide), also known as Tenax®

In some cases, distilled water or water of equivalent quality can be used instead of food simulant A.

Selection of simulants by food type

The food simulants used in migration testing are selected based on the food type that the material is meant to come into contact with.

All types of food

• Food simulants A, B, and D2

All types of food except for acidic foods

• Food simulants A and D2

All aqueous and alcoholic foods and milk products with a pH ≥ 4,5

• Food simulant D1

All aqueous and alcoholic foods and milk products with a pH < 4,5

• Food simulants D1 and B

All aqueous and alcoholic foods up to an alcohol content of 20%

• Food simulant C

All aqueous and acidic foods and alcoholic foods up to an alcohol content of 20%

• Food simulants C and B

For dry foods, such as flour, spices, and powders

• Food simulant E

Not sure which simulants or testing conditions to choose?

Our experts are happy to help you choose the appropriate testing conditions and simulants for the overall and specific migration tests you need. Contact us through the form below to discuss your requirements, and we will get back to you within one business day. Alternatively, you can check out our comprehensive testing package for plastic FCMs:

• EU compliance testing of plastic food contact materials

We also provide a range of other testing options for food contact materials, including OTR and WVTR testing to determine the barrier properties of films and packages. Feel free to ask our experts for more information on any of these services.