Food Packaging Migrants

Food packaging materials contain chemical compounds which can migrate from the packaging into the food. These chemicals need to be assessed and regulated in order to protect consumers from adverse health effects.

There are a number of issues that need to be examined in an exposure assessment of consumers to chemicals from food packaging:

• Food type
• Chemicals within packaging that can make their way into food
• Shelf-life-dependent diffusion levels of chemicals from packaging into food
• Temperature
• Packaging physical components
• Market share of packaging materials in the market for different food commodities

Read Trinity College Dublin's study of Food Packaging Migrants and their effects on human health.

Also, see our article What's in the Package?

The European Commission is currently redeveloping the legislation for food packing in Europe.

For more information on how we can help you to ensure your packaging is safe and that consumers and your reputation are protected, see CREMe Food Safety.