Biogroup, accredited by ASSAL (Santa Fe Food Safety Agency) analyzes plastic, paper and cardboard containers that come into contact with food to determine the migration of monomers, additives and other residual substances.

Biogroup chemists have extensive knowledge of both national and international regulations for materials that come into contact with food, including the European regulatory framework and other related directives, amendments and guidelines, as well as standards set by the FDA.

Biogroup has extensive experience both in interpreting appropriate legislation and in providing chemical carryover test data in accordance with these standards.

Biogroup not only determines the concentration of substances that migrate from the packaging to the food, but can also investigate the causes by which said substance reaches the food. This is a fundamental service for the food packaging and materials packaging industry.

 

Paper and Cardboard Packaging Migration Tests

Biogroup laboratory analysts carry out specific migration tests for materials in contact with food, including paper and cardboard containers and packaging materials.

Chemical components tested at specific migration limits: Mineral oils, 4-Methylbenzophenone, Benzophenone, Bisphenol A (BPA), Formaldehyde, PCP, Heavy metals (Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, Chromium VI), PAA, Antimicrobial activity, Anthraquinone and others. Analysis of additives, monomers, inks, pigments, adhesives, etc. used in packaging or other materials that come into contact with food are made in accordance with European directives and guidelines.

Specific migration tests according to the EN-13130 standard for plastic materials in contact with food
Specific migration component tests include:

Terephthalic acid / Isophthalic acid
Maleic acid / maleic anhydride
1,3-butadiene
Bisphenol A
Total primary aromatic amines
Phthalates analysis
Isocyanates
Epoxidized Soybean Oil (ESBO)
Trace metal analysis
Others

Global migration tests for materials in contact with food, such as containers and kitchen utensils, according to the EN-1186 standard

We perform global migration tests for all simulants and under a wide range of test conditions, depending on the intended use of these food contact materials.

In those cases in which there is no specific method available to perform the test for a certain contaminant, Biogroup has the necessary analytical equipment and specialized personnel to develop the analytical technique that best suits the regulatory requirement.

Our tests for materials in contact with food also include other types of materials intended to be in contact with food, such as paper, cardboard, metals, ceramics, etc.

Simulants used for global and specific migration assays include:

Simulant A (non-acidic aqueous food simulant: distilled or deionized water).
Simulant B (acidic aqueous food simulant: 3% (m/v) acetic acid solution in distilled or deionized water.
Simulant C (alcoholic food simulant): 10% (v/v) ethanol solution in distilled or deionized water, concentration that will be adjusted to the actual ethanol content of the product in the event that it exceeds 10% (v /v).
Simulant D (fat food simulant): 95% (v/v) ethanol solution in distilled or deionized water, or isooctane, or MPPO (modified polyphenylene oxide), as appropriate;
Simulant D' (simulant equivalent to simulant D): edible oils (olive oil, sunflower oil, corn oil) or synthetic mixtures of triglycerides.

ANALYSIS METHODS

Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (American Water Works Association/American Public Works Association/Water Environment Federation)

ISO (International Organization for Standardization)

AOAC (Association Of Analytical Communities)

FDA (Food and Drug Administration)

ICMSF (International Commission on Microbiological Specifications for Foods)

AFNOR (Association française de Normalisation)

USP (U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention)

BP (British Pharmacopoeia)

FNA (Argentine National Pharmacopoeia)