Migration Testing Services for Food Contact Materials
Migration testing for food contact materials is the process of determining whether chemical substances have migrated to the food products by any of the ways including packaging of food, the machinery used for food processing or from kitchen utensils. Migration testing is carried out in the laboratory considering the temperature, time span, contact surface area and food type.
TRUSTED BY
- Overview
- Scope, Applications, and Benefits
- Test Process
- Specifications
- Instrumentation
- Results and Deliverables
Migration Testing for Food Contact Materials Overview
Migration testing evaluates the transfer of chemical substances from food contact materials (such as plastics, packaging, coatings, and utensils) into food or food simulants under controlled conditions. The goal is to ensure that materials do not release harmful substances that could affect human health, food composition, or sensory properties.
Regulatory frameworks such as EU Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 and EU 10/2011 define strict limits and testing protocols. These include overall migration limits (OML) for total substances and specific migration limits (SML) for individual chemicals, ensuring that materials are safe for intended food-contact applications.
Scope, Applications, and Benefits
Scope
Migration testing evaluates:
- Overall migration (total substances released)
- Specific migration of individual substances
- Non-intentionally added substances (NIAS)
- Heavy metals and chemical contaminants
- Interaction with different food types (acidic, fatty, aqueous)
Applications
- Food packaging materials (plastic, paper, multilayer films)
- Food containers, bottles, and storage products
- Kitchenware and utensils
- Coatings, inks, and adhesives
- Medical and pharmaceutical packaging
Benefits
- Ensures compliance with global food safety regulations
- Prevents contamination of food products
- Supports safe material selection
- Identifies potential chemical risks
- Enhances consumer safety and product reliability
Migration Testing Test Process
Sample Preparation
Test specimens are prepared based on intended use and contact conditions.
1Exposure to Simulants
Samples are exposed to food simulants (e.g., 3% acetic acid, ethanol, oil) under defined time and temperature.
2Migration Analysis
Substances migrated into simulants are measured using analytical techniques.
3Data Evaluation
Results are compared against OML (e.g., 10 mg/dm² or 60 mg/kg) and SML limits.
4Migration Testing Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard | EU 10/2011, EC 1935/2004, FDA 21 CFR |
| Test Principle | Measurement of substance transfer into food simulants |
| Overall Migration Limit (OML) | 10 mg/dm² or 60 mg/kg |
| Specific Migration Limit (SML) | Substance-specific limits (mg/kg) |
| Simulants Used | A (aqueous), B (acidic), C (alcoholic), D1/D2 (fatty) |
| Test Conditions | Time/temperature based on real use (e.g., 10 days at 40°C) |
| Measured Outputs | Migration levels (mg/kg or mg/dm²) |
Instrumentation Used for Testing
- Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
- High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
- Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analyzers
- UV-Vis spectrophotometer
- Migration test cells and simulant containers
- Environmental chambers for temperature control
Results and Deliverables
- Overall migration values (mg/dm² or mg/kg)
- Specific migration results for targeted substances
- Compliance status with regulatory limits
- Identification of contaminants and NIAS
- Safety assessment for food contact applications
Partnering with Infinita Lab for Optimal Results
Infinita Lab addresses the most frustrating pain points in the migration testing process: complexity, coordination, and confidentiality. Our platform is built for secure, simplified support, allowing engineering and R&D teams to focus on what matters most: innovation. From kickoff to final report, we orchestrate every detail—fast, seamlessly, and behind the scenes.
Looking for a trusted partner to achieve your research goals? Schedule a meeting with us, send us a request, or call us at (888) 878-3090 to learn more about our services and how we can support you. Request a Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
Migration testing of food contact materials (FCMs) is essential in assuring that materials used in packaging or other food-related applications are safe for consumers. This testing determines if any contaminants from the FCMs move into the food at amounts that might endanger human health.
The total migration is calculated by exposing a food contact material or article to a chemical food simulant for a set amount of time, after which the extracted residue is dried and weighed. It determines the overall quantity of non-volatile substances that can migrate into food.
Migration refers to the transfer of chemical compounds from FCMs to food. Several global food contact legislation frameworks have established standards for substance migration testing, called the overall migration test for food contact.
The worldwide emblem for 'food-safe' material is a wine glass and fork. The mark denotes that 'the material used in the product is regarded safe for food contact' and applies to food and water containers, packaging materials, and utensils.
The two types of migration tests are: Overall Migration Test & Specific Migration Test.
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