Analysis of Materials in Contact with Food: Migration Tests

BPA, Phthalate, and Heavy Metal Analyses: Packaging Safety

Analyses of Substances and Materials in Contact with Food: Migration Tests and Their Importance

Substances and materials in contact with food include all products that come into direct or indirect contact with food, such as packaging, storage containers, kitchen utensils, and production equipment. The safety of these products is of great importance for protecting consumer health and ensuring full compliance with legal requirements.

The analyses conducted in this context evaluate the presence and quantity of undesirable chemical substances that may migrate from materials into food. Total migration, specific migration, heavy metals, Bisphenol A (BPA), phthalates, and primary aromatic amines (PAA) analyses are among the most commonly performed tests on food contact materials and substances.

The results of these analyses help verify that products comply with relevant regulations, support manufacturers’ quality processes, and ensure that safe products are provided to consumers. For companies producing goods for export, analyses conducted in accredited laboratories play a critical role in certifying product reliability in international markets.

What Is Migration?

Migration is one of the most important evaluation criteria for materials that come into contact with food. Migration is defined as the transfer of chemical substances present in the structure of packaging, containers, equipment, or other contact materials into food under specific conditions. This transfer may vary depending on contact time, temperature, the fat content of the food, and the structural properties of the material.

Through migration analyses, the amount of substances migrating into food is determined, and a scientific assessment is made as to whether they pose a risk to human health. These analyses are of great importance for verifying the safe use of products and demonstrating compliance with legal limits.

What Analyses Are Performed on Food Contact Materials?

The analyses performed on food-contact materials and substances may vary depending on the product type and intended use. The most commonly performed analyses are as follows:

Total Migration Analysis: Determines the total amount of substances migrating from the material into food. It is the fundamental test used to assess whether legal limits have been exceeded.

Specific Migration Analysis: It individually determines the amount of specific high-risk chemicals (BPA, phthalates, PAA, etc.) that migrate into food. Separate legal limits apply for each substance.

Heavy Metal Analysis: Evaluates the migration of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury from the material into the food. It is of critical importance, particularly for ceramic, glass, and metal packaging.

Bisphenol A (BPA) Analysis: Detects the migration of BPA—which can be found in plastics and coating materials—into food. It is of particular importance in baby products and beverage bottles.

Phthalate Analysis: Measures the migration of phthalates—used as plasticizers—into food. They are strictly regulated due to their endocrine-disrupting effects.

Primary Aromatic Amine (PAA) Analysis: Detects PAAs that may originate from adhesives and printing inks, particularly in multilayer packaging.

Which Products Are Tested?

These analyses are applied to a wide range of product groups that come into contact with food:

• Plastic, glass, metal, and ceramic packaging
• Silicone products
• Paper and cardboard packaging
• Single-use food containers
• Stretch films
• Storage containers
• Beverage bottles
• Canned food containers
• Cutting boards
• Kitchen utensils
• Equipment used in food production

The Importance of Analyses of Materials in Contact with Food

Analyses conducted on substances and materials in contact with food not only ensure compliance with legal requirements but also:

• Strengthen manufacturers’ quality control processes
• Help identify potential chemical risks at an early stage
• Contribute to increasing consumer confidence
• Support the certification of product reliability in export markets
• Minimize the risk of product recalls

Analyses conducted on substances and materials that come into contact with food are of strategic importance not only for ensuring compliance with regulations but also for protecting consumer health, maintaining product safety, and improving production quality. Through regular migration and chemical analyses, potential risks are brought under control, the introduction of reliable products to the market is supported, and the production of products that consumers can use with confidence is facilitated.

Analyses performed in accredited laboratories demonstrate products’ compliance with relevant regulations through reliable results, thereby helping manufacturers fulfill their legal obligations.

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