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Food contact material testing services

Food contact material safety and compliance must be ensured through a series of laboratory analyses, including migration tests for both known components and unintended contaminants. Measurlabs offers all the required tests to ensure that products comply with EU and FDA regulations.
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Migration testing

The purpose of overall and specific migration tests is to measure the quantity of potentially harmful substances that may migrate from a food contact material into food. All plastic food contact materials sold in the EU must undergo overall migration testing, while the extent of specific migration testing depends on the composition of the material and the risks associated with it. Non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) need to be accounted for in addition to known starting substances and additives.

Recycled materials generally require more extensive testing than virgin ones, as they are more prone to contamination and degradation. Examples of recommended extra tests include primary aromatic amine screening from recycled plastics and MOSH and MOAH testing of recycled paper and board.

Measurlabs offers migration testing for all materials, from traditional plastics to ceramics, metals, paper, board, and novel biobased materials. Our experts can also help select the testing conditions, which are chosen based on applicable regulations, material characteristics, and the types of food it is intended to come into contact with.

We have experience conducting migration testing according to EU, FDA, Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean regulations. Do not hesitate to contact us to get an offer for a comprehensive testing package tailored to your material and market area.

Sensory analysis of food contact materials

Sensory analysis

Food contact materials should not alter the taste or smell of food in a detrimental way. This is ensured with sensory analysis, which can be performed by EN 1230 or DIN 10955 standards. The EN standard is intended for paper and board FCMs, whereas DIN 10955 is applicable to all food contact materials.

Sensory analysis – transfer of odor and flavor from food contact materials (DIN 10955)

DIN 10955, DIN 10955:2024
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.
175 €
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Sensory analysis – odor and flavor (EN 1230-1 and -2)

EN 1230-1, EN 1230-2
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.
175 €
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Prices excluding VAT.

Mechanical and thermal properties

In addition to being chemically safe, food contact materials should withstand typical mechanical and thermal stresses they may encounter using transport, storage, and use. Some of the most common performance tests specific to food contact materials include mechanical dishwashing resistance and microwave resistance testing. Tensile and compression strength, barrier properties, and other performance indicators should also be evaluated to ensure optimal performance.

Dishwasher safe test with 125 wash cycles

EN 12875-1, EN 12875-2
Method for testing the resistance of domestic articles made from ceramic, glass, glass ceramic, vitreous enamel, metal, and plastics under the combined chemical, thermal, and mechanical stresses of washing in domestic dishwashers. The analysis is to be used as a reference test method for domestic dishwashing only. It does not define the number of dishwashing cycles that any given product shall withstand. The test includes 125 washing cycles according to EN 12875-1, followed by an inspection according to EN 12875-2. Please note that the cost is per batch, and thus adding more products to the same order will not increase the cost. The cost includes one inspection per batch; the addition of another inspection will add €70 to the overall cost.
1,488 €
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Rapid dishwasher-safe test for ceramics

EN 12875-2, EN 12875-4
Rapid method for testing domestic ceramics for resistance to mechanical dishwashing. In this test, the tested articles are immersed in a solution with alkaline dishwashing detergent at (75 ± 1) °C for a total of 32 hours. The specimens are then examined visually according to standard EN 12875-2 to determine any changes in the article. Please note that this test does not indicate a clear number of dishwasher cycles the product is expected to withstand. Rather, this test can be useful for the following purposes: Research and development: for example, comparing different printing or glazing solutions for their resistance to dishwashing and general wear., Quality assurance: ensuring that the product maintains its gloss and color after repeated exposure to chemical, mechanical, and thermal stresses in a domestic dishwasher., Product inspection: for example, if there is suspicion about compromised quality of the printing, glazing, or other product characteristics at the retail level..
235 €
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Microwave-safe test

EN 15284
Testing to determine cookware's resistance to microwave heating. The test is suitable for cookware made of ceramic, glass, glass-ceramic, or plastic. Tested articles should be intended for multiple uses in a microwave. The test does not apply to articles, particularly plastic ones, that are intended to be discarded after one use. For a more comprehensive evaluation of cookware performance, we also offer the following tests: Dishwasher-safe test, Oven-safe test, Freezer-safe test.
190 €
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Oven-safe test for cookware

EN 13834
Heat resistance test for cookware to evaluate suitability for cooking in domestic ovens. The test is described in Section 6.1.8 and Annex A of standard EN 13834. In the test, the cookware is placed for 1 hour in an oven heated to a temperature 20 °C above the manufacturer's recommended maximum temperature (or 250 °C where no maximum temperature is given). After 1 hour of incubation, the ovenware shall show no damage to be designated as “oven-proof” or “oven-safe”.
334 €
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Freezer-safe test

This test is used to evaluate kitchenware and storage articles, such as freezer boxes, for resistance to cold exposure in domestic freezers. In the test, the article is stored at -18°C for 24 hours, after which the article is observed for the presence of off-odor and visual changes, including discoloration, deformation, cracking, and chipping. Additionally, it is checked that functionality has been maintained.
158 €
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Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of packages

This test is designed to measure the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of packages, such as cups, bottles, trays, and containers. The analysis includes three replica measurements. This test is not suitable for films or sheet-like materials. Please see the water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of films and sheeting instead. Upon ordering, please specify the sample dimensions and desired testing conditions. The chosen temperature can be between 15 and 55°C and the relative humidity between 20 and 100% RH.
712 €
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Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of packages

ASTM F1307
This test is designed to measure the oxygen transmission rate of finished packages, including cups, bottles, trays, and containers. Two replica measurements are included in the displayed price. Temperature can be adjusted from 15 to 55 °C, and relative humidity can be either 0% or between 5 and 90% RH. This test is not suitable for films. Please see the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of films and sheeting if you need testing for film samples. Please specify the sample dimensions and testing conditions upon ordering.
792 €
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Tensile properties of plastic films by ISO 527-3

ISO 527-3
This tensile test by the ISO 527-3 standard is intended for determining the tensile properties of plastic films and sheeting. It is particularly suited for thin plastic films with high elongation. Determinable properties include tensile strength, yield strength, yield strain, strain at break, and modulus of elasticity. Results include the individual stress-strain curves for five test samples. The standard tensile properties will also be calculated for each of the five specimens.
143 €
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Prices excluding VAT.

Niko Markkinen

Questions?

Food contact material testing expert Niko Markkinen is happy to help.

+358 50 589 2106

EU compliance testing packages

If you're unsure where to start, our compliance testing packages for different types of food contact materials are a great option. They contain all the tests most commonly required by EU legislation and can be customized based on the properties of the assessed material. More information can be found through the links below:

Please also note that our experts can prepare similar compliance testing packages for other materials and according to additional regulations, including FDA, Japanese, Chinese, and South Korean ones.

Get a quote

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Answering the following questions helps us prepare an offer for you faster:

  • What is the sample material, and which types of foods does it come into contact with?

  • How long does contact with food last, and what are the conditions (e.g. storage at room temperature, heating in the microwave)?

  • Do you have a recurring need for these tests? If yes, how often and for how many samples at a time?

Have questions or need help? Email us at or call our sales team.