Food contact materials

We offer testing of Plastics intended to come into contact with food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, such as:

• Overall and specific migration into all food simulants: water, A, B, C, D1, D2, E and D2 alternatives (isooctane and 95% Ethanol)

Specific migration of:

• Primary Aromatic Amines (PAAs) and Annex II Metals (Ni, Al, Ba, Co, Cu, FE, Li, Mn, Zn)
• Plasticizers, antioxidants, monomers and other additives acc. EU 10/2011 Annex I and Swiss Ordinance
• Mineral oils (MOSH/POSH & MOAH)
• Bisphenol A and epoxy resin derivatives BADGE, BFDGE and NOGE in coated materials, plastics and adhesives
• GC-MS Screening of NIAS (Non-Intentionally Added Substances), 10 ppb method (also for granules)
• Isocyanates content and migration (laminates with adhesives, printed materials)
• Set-off effect of printing inks and specific migration UV-initiators, acrylates, BHT, PAAs, etc.
• Solvents residual content and specific migration
• Sensory analysis acc. DIN 10955, EN 1230-1/-2
• Colorfastness acc. EN 646, DIN 53160-1 / -2
• Gas transition rate: oxygen (OTR), water (VWTR), CO2, N2
• Heavy metals acc. Directive 94/62/EC (Cd, Hg, Pb, Cr (VI)

Testing of Paper and board as Food Contact material:

• Determination of the grammage, moisture content
• Dry matter in the Water Extract
• Methanal (Formaldehyde), Pentachlorophenol (PCB), Glyoxal, Anthraquinone
• Primary Aromatic Amines
• Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB)
• Bisphenol A and Aromatic Ketones, Phthalates
• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Mineral Oils (MOSH and MOAH) content and specific migration
• Transfer of Antimicrobial Constituents
• Determination of the Fastness of Whitened Paper and Board, EN 648
• Colorfastness, EN 646
• Specific migration of printing inks compounds
• Extraction Tests According to the FDA Regulations
• Testing under Toys Directive (EN 71 standards) and RoHS

Specific release of metal ions testing based on „Metals and alloys used in food contact materials and articles, a practical guide for manufacturers and regulators” and Resolution CM/Res(2013)9 on metals and alloys used in food contact materials and articles, adopted by Council of Europe member states.

Testing of Polyolefins, PVC, PET, Rubber under GMP standard, e.g.:

• Appearance of solution, Absorbance
• Acidity / alkalinity
• Reducing Substances
• Extractable Al, Ti, Zn; Extractable heavy metals
• Sulfated ash; Plastic additives, Phenolic and non-phenolic antioxidants, Amides and stearates
• Penetrability

• Determination of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) transferred (released) from ceramic articles which, in their finished state, are intended to come into contact with foodstuff, acc. Commission Directive 2005/31/EC of 29 April 2005 amending Council Directive 84/500/EEC.
• Glass: determination of the release of lead and cadmium from silicate surfaces other than ceramic ware

GC-MS Screening of NIAS (Non-Intentionally Added Substances)

REACH substances in consumer goods, toys, recycled materials

• Heavy metals,
• Phthalates
• PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons),
• SCCP (Short-Chain Chlorinated Paraffins)
• BPA (Bisphenol A)
• Testing acc. to Toy Safety standard EN 71 series
• Testing of substances acc. RoHS Directive
• Testing against special requirements and specifications of your clients and retailers

Our consultancy services include:

• Documents review and verification
• Set-up of optimized testing plans for compliance assessment
• Compliance assessment based on EU 10/2011, Swiss Ordinance, BfR Recommendations and relevant Industry Guidance (EuPIA, CEPI, FCA, FEICA, EFSA, ILSI)
• Toxicological risk assessment e.g. by TTC-concept method
• Drafts of DoC (Declaration of Conformity) for final FCMs