Packaging and migration testing

Packaging protects food, but it can also be a source of contamination: constituents of the material can transfer into the food, and packaging that is stored or handled poorly can carry microbiological contamination. Packaging manufacturers and the food businesses that use their products must be able to show, through documents and test results, that a material is fit for its intended use.

What we test

We start from the supplier’s documentation, in particular the declaration of compliance, and check the substances used against the positive lists that apply to specifically regulated materials such as plastics. On that basis we propose a migration testing protocol tailored to the type of material, the packed food and the real conditions of use: temperature, contact time, and surface-to-volume ratio. Which migration tests can be carried out in our laboratory is agreed case by case.

For packaging hygiene, we determine the total viable count and coliforms on packaging materials and containers, as part of supplier control or sanitation checks.

For pages on specific materials, see also our sections on plastics and on paper and board.

Regulatory framework

• Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food;
• Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food;
• Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 on good manufacturing practice for these materials.

How we work

We first discuss the material, its use and the documents available, then agree on the tests together. Results are issued in a test report; accredited tests are marked as such on the report and are listed in the RENAR annex.