Food contact materials research

As well as providing information and practical methods to help the Agency meet its consumer safety objectives, this research helps to provide a sound scientific basis for UK input to negotiations in the European Union.

This programme of research includes the quantification of chemical migration and the development of appropriate test protocols, as well as more fundamental work to increase understanding of the factors affecting chemical migration.

A diverse range of topics is investigated under this programme, such as the use of nanotechnology in food contact materials, chemical migration from active and intelligent packaging and biodegradable packaging. The research programme is managed carefully to ensure value for money in both the science it produces and its relevance to the work of the Agency. Projects are awarded to contractors after open competition.

The Working Party on Materials and Articles in Contact with Food or Drink provides independent advice on what research is needed and how it is carried out. To ensure that the projects relate to current practice, the membership of the Working Party includes experts from industry as well as consumer and regulatory interests. The activities of the Working Party are structured around two meetings a year, in the spring and autumn. The spring meeting reviews research projects in progress, while the one in the autumn considers future research.

The 2006 Spring meeting reviewed the following current research projects:

• Monomer and other chemical migrants levels in food grade plastic (Project A03053)
• An investigation of the stability of BADGE in foods and the reaction products formed (Project A03050)
• Measurement of packaged food intake by children by kilogram body weight to include type of packaging and foodstuff (Project A03051)
• Validation of enzyme linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) for the determination of latex allergens in food contact materials and associated foods (Project A03056)
• An investigation into the reaction and breakdown products from starting substances used to produce food contact plastics (Project A03054)
• Assessing potential for migration of substances from inks and coatings (Project A03055)

View the Annual Review of Current Research Projects 2002-2006.

If you have any questions about this research theme please contact Edward Potter on 020 7276 8550 or by email: science@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk