Niko Markkinen

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.

Determination of the specific migration of elements listed in Annex II of Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. The test covers the following elements or parameters: Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Magnesium (Mg), Aluminum (Al), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Antimony (Sb), Barium (Ba), Lanthanum (La), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), Terbium (Tb), Mercury (Hg), Lead (Pb), Sum of lanthanides – Eu, Gd, La, Tb.

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