COMBINED COMPOSITIONAL ANALYSIS AND THRESHOLD OF REGULATION AS A POSSIBLE CONTROL MEASURE FOR MICROWAVE SUSCEPTORS

A testing scheme is described whereby the susceptor is heated in an en closed system and potential volatile migrants detected by GC-FID or GC -MS. This compositional information is then combined with knowledge on the relationship between volatility and transfer to foods to predict migration levels. The scheme can be simplified to a threshold of regul ation approach by addition of internal standards at suitable concentra tions. This approach could be of value in screening new susceptor comp ositions for potential migrants, followed, as required, by more exhaus tive testing using foods or food simulants. In support of this approac h, 15 model substances with a boiling range of 77-440-degrees-C were i ncorporated into susceptors via the vapour phase or by formulation int o the adhesive. Migration to microwaved foods was measured to provide the required information on the approximate relationship between the b oiling point of a potential migrant and its migration level. The impre gnated susceptors were also used to measure migration of the model sub stances to the test simulants Tenax and a semi-solid simulant of olive oil and water absorbed on an inert support. Migration to both simulan ts was much higher than to foods, indicating that for volatiles analys is at least, both simulants are suitable for screening purposes and er r on the side of safety.