CURRENT RESEARCH ON FOOD CONTACT MATERIALS UNDERTAKEN BY THE UK-MINISTRY-OF-AGRICULTURE-FISHERIES-AND-FOOD

Recent research funded by the UK Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries an d Food (MAFF) in the area of migration from food contact materials is reviewed and set within a framework of surveillance; evaluation of new technology; support of current regulations; and anticipation of futur e controls. Recent surveillance projects monitoring foods for migratio n of monomeric plasticizers (in particular di-(2-ethylhexyl)adipate), polymeric additives and mineral hydrocarbons are highlighted. Developm ent of high temperature testing conditions for food contact materials has been carried out in support of regulations and proposals are made for the control of susceptors by analysis of release of volatiles. Mig ration of benzophenone from the printing ink of a paper board sleeve d uring microwave heating of a pre-cooked meal is described as a recent example of a migration situation that would not easily have been antic ipated. Finally, the approach being adopted for investigating paper an d board food contact materials for inorganic constituents, for volatil e organic and for solvent-extractable organic components is outlined a s an example of work being carried out in anticipation of future regul atory controls.