A03062: Identify chemicals specific to active and intelligent packaging on the UK market and the extent to which they migrate into food, through laboratory based research
Tuesday 22 August 2006
This research project will identify chemicals specific to active and intelligent packaging on the UK market and the extent to which they may migrate into food.
Background
Active packaging is intended to influence the packed food. It is intended to change the condition of the packed food, to extend shelf-life or improve sensory properties while maintaining the freshness and the quality of the food. In intelligent packaging the food is intended to influence the packaging. The intelligent system will, for example, monitor the time-temperature storage history of the packed food.
Project A03039, a desk-based study on UK trends in active and intelligent packaging, looked at future experimental needs to measure the chemicals that could migrate into food from such packaging. The findings indicated that practical work is now needed to identify the chemicals that are specific to active and intelligent packaging and the extent to which they may migrate into food. Additionally the effectiveness of active and intelligent materials in performing their intended function will be determined to ensure consumers are not being misled.
The Framework Regulation on Materials and Articles in Contact with Food, 1935/2004/EC, introduced the concept of active and intelligent packaging into European legislation. This project will help the UK to formulate its approach for future discussions on specific regulation of chemical migration from this newer type of packaging format.
Research Approach
Based on in-house knowledge and literature sources, an overview will be prepared of commercial active/intelligent systems currently on the UK market, or likely to be marketed here soon. Approximately 20 different sample types will be collected.
Manufacturer information on each sample type, where available, will be supplemented by laboratory analysis to identify the chemical substances specific to the active/intelligent components.
The overall and specific migration of substances related to active/intelligent components will be determined using food simulants. Where appreciable migration is found into simulants, further studies will be undertaken to measure any migration of these substances into foods.
The effectiveness of active/intelligent packaging systems such as water absorbers, oxygen absorbers, ethylene scavengers and antimicrobials will be assessed.