Plastic food contact material overall migration test
Overall migration testing (OML) is a critical part of ensuring the safety of materials in contact with food. The analysis evaluates the migration of chemicals from the material to the food with the help of simulants that mimic different types of food products. The simulants and testing conditions are determined by the food contact plastic regulation (EU 10/2011) and the tests are done according to the EN 1186 standard.
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Overall migration testing – simulant A, B, D2 (all foodstuff)
Overall migration testing – simulant A (10 % EtOH)
Overall migration testing – simulant B (3 % AcOH)
Overall migration testing – simulant C (20 % EtOH)
Overall migration testing – simulant D1 (50 % EtOH)
Overall migration testing – simulant D2 (olive oil)
Overall migration testing – simulant E (Tenax)
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What is overall migration testing?
Migration stands for the transfer of chemicals from one material to another. In this case, chemicals may transfer from the food contact material to the food. Migration testing is an important part of product development and quality control of plastic food contact materials. EU No. 10/2011 “plastic” regulation defines the 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 is vegetable oil with less than 1 % non-saponified materials. D2 is for foods with lipophilic properties, in other words fatty foods.
Migration testing in food packaging is often done by mimicking the worst case scenario. In other words, the tests are done in the most unfavorable conditions in terms of temperature and testing time. Our experts are happy to help you choose the right conditions for testing your material. 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 done 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 the substance causes, ant the limits thus vary across different substances.
The 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 with equivalent quality can be used instead of food simulant A.
Use purpose of the material and selection of simulants
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 flours, spices and powders
Food simulant E is often used
Suitable sample matrices
- Boxes
- Cutlery
- Bottles
- Cups
- Bowls
- Any other plastic food contact products
Ideal uses for migration testing
- Food contact material safety
Ask for a quote
Contact us below to get a quote for testing services in one business day.
You can also email us at info@measurlabs.com or call us at +358 50 336 6128
Frequently asked questions
Total migration testing is used for plastic food contact materials. Materials that are intended to be in contact with food must be tested to ensure safety.
Overall migration testing does not give any information about the migrating substances and chemicals. Overall migration testing can be quite complicated with different food simulants and testing conditions. In addition to overall migration testing, specific migration testing (for specific migrative chemicals) can be done.
This testing method is for food contact materials made of plastic.
Measurlabs offers a variety of laboratory analyses for product developers and quality managers. We perform some of the analyses in our own lab, but mostly we outsource them to carefully selected partner laboratories. This way we can send each sample to the lab that is best suited for the purpose, and offer high-quality analyses with more than a thousand different methods to our clients.
When you contact us through our contact form or by email, one of our specialists will take ownership of your case and answer your query. You get an offer with all the necessary details about the analysis, and can send your samples to the indicated address. We will then take care of sending your samples to the correct laboratories and write a clear report on the results for you.
Samples are usually delivered to our laboratory via courier. Contact us for further details before sending samples.
Overall migration testing of food contact materials for product development and quality control. We offer high quality migration testing for all kinds of food contact materials, both overall and specific migration with all simulants and testing conditions.