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What is the primary concern regarding migration from food packages?
What is the primary concern regarding migration from food packages?
Scalping refers to the migration of food flavors from the food to the package.
Scalping refers to the migration of food flavors from the food to the package.
True
What type of migration occurs when chemicals move from the package to the food?
What type of migration occurs when chemicals move from the package to the food?
Migration
Migration from ____________ is particularly related to consumer protection and regulatory compliance.
Migration from ____________ is particularly related to consumer protection and regulatory compliance.
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Match the potential migrants in plastics with their descriptions:
Match the potential migrants in plastics with their descriptions:
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What type of packaging is designed to release active compounds to enhance food safety?
What type of packaging is designed to release active compounds to enhance food safety?
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Biological interactions at the food-package interface are primarily responsible for food's enhanced flavors.
Biological interactions at the food-package interface are primarily responsible for food's enhanced flavors.
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What is the term used for the reverse migration of compounds from food to the package?
What is the term used for the reverse migration of compounds from food to the package?
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What can happen to plastic films at very high temperatures?
What can happen to plastic films at very high temperatures?
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Migration of bisphenol-A from cans can occur at temperatures above 105°C.
Migration of bisphenol-A from cans can occur at temperatures above 105°C.
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What is the term for the phenomenon that occurs when flavors from food are absorbed by packaging materials?
What is the term for the phenomenon that occurs when flavors from food are absorbed by packaging materials?
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The main cause of strong musty taints from paper sacks is the presence of __________.
The main cause of strong musty taints from paper sacks is the presence of __________.
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What is the primary purpose of packaging materials used in food contact?
What is the primary purpose of packaging materials used in food contact?
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Match the packaging material with the issue it commonly causes:
Match the packaging material with the issue it commonly causes:
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Off-flavors and tainting are the same phenomena.
Off-flavors and tainting are the same phenomena.
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What is a primary concern related to phthalate plasticizers in food packaging?
What is a primary concern related to phthalate plasticizers in food packaging?
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Which of the following factors affects sorption phenomena?
Which of the following factors affects sorption phenomena?
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Name one compound in flexible packaging materials that can taint food.
Name one compound in flexible packaging materials that can taint food.
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Primary aromatic amines (PAA) are safe and non-carcinogenic.
Primary aromatic amines (PAA) are safe and non-carcinogenic.
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Sorption is primarily a problem affecting only the flavor of food.
Sorption is primarily a problem affecting only the flavor of food.
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The concept of safety in food packaging is defined by the __________ of food contact materials.
The concept of safety in food packaging is defined by the __________ of food contact materials.
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What is the maximum allowable migration level for nonauthorized substances in food packaging in Europe?
What is the maximum allowable migration level for nonauthorized substances in food packaging in Europe?
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Name one effect of flavor scalping on food packaging.
Name one effect of flavor scalping on food packaging.
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A functional barrier must ensure the migration of authorized substances below the limit of specific migration (SML) and reduce migration to a ______ level.
A functional barrier must ensure the migration of authorized substances below the limit of specific migration (SML) and reduce migration to a ______ level.
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How are undesirable packaging constituents managed in regulations?
How are undesirable packaging constituents managed in regulations?
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Match the following plastic types with their approval status as functional barriers in food packaging:
Match the following plastic types with their approval status as functional barriers in food packaging:
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Match the following terms with their definitions:
Match the following terms with their definitions:
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Residual monomers in packaging materials have no impact on food safety.
Residual monomers in packaging materials have no impact on food safety.
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What is a common application of microwave susceptors?
What is a common application of microwave susceptors?
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Post consumer recycled (PCR) plastics do not contain any chemical contaminants.
Post consumer recycled (PCR) plastics do not contain any chemical contaminants.
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What is the main disadvantage of maintaining a positive list for food contact materials?
What is the main disadvantage of maintaining a positive list for food contact materials?
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What is the main function of the thin layer of aluminum in metallized plastic film?
What is the main function of the thin layer of aluminum in metallized plastic film?
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What primarily affects the migration of volatile compounds in packaging?
What primarily affects the migration of volatile compounds in packaging?
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Migration of migrant in a non-migrating system is significantly influenced by the molecular weight of the polymer.
Migration of migrant in a non-migrating system is significantly influenced by the molecular weight of the polymer.
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What is required for migration to occur in a leaching system?
What is required for migration to occur in a leaching system?
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In the migration process for poor food-package contact, the slowest step is the diffusion of ______ in the package wall toward the food-package interface.
In the migration process for poor food-package contact, the slowest step is the diffusion of ______ in the package wall toward the food-package interface.
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Match the migration systems with their characteristics:
Match the migration systems with their characteristics:
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Which of the following statements about the migration of volatile compounds is true?
Which of the following statements about the migration of volatile compounds is true?
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The leaching process involves the migration of migrants that have a ______ diffusion coefficient in the plastic.
The leaching process involves the migration of migrants that have a ______ diffusion coefficient in the plastic.
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What role does the swelling of plastic material play in the migration process?
What role does the swelling of plastic material play in the migration process?
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What does OML stand for in the context of migration limits?
What does OML stand for in the context of migration limits?
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Specific migration limit (SML) pertains to the maximum amount of any substance that can migrate from a package to food.
Specific migration limit (SML) pertains to the maximum amount of any substance that can migrate from a package to food.
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What is the purpose of migration testing?
What is the purpose of migration testing?
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The ___________ testing involves exposing the package to food simulants to study migration.
The ___________ testing involves exposing the package to food simulants to study migration.
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Which of the following is NOT a type of food simulant mentioned?
Which of the following is NOT a type of food simulant mentioned?
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Match the types of simulants with their corresponding category:
Match the types of simulants with their corresponding category:
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QM refers to the maximum quantity of permitted migration rather than residual concentration of substances.
QM refers to the maximum quantity of permitted migration rather than residual concentration of substances.
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What is one requirement for migration testing simulations?
What is one requirement for migration testing simulations?
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Study Notes
Migration and Food-Package Interactions
- Interactions between food and packaging materials can be physical, chemical, or biological.
- Physical interactions include the movement of chemical compounds across the food-package interface.
- Chemical interactions can involve corrosion of metal containers from contact with food products.
- Biological interactions can cause food spoilage due to contamination from the package.
- Concerns arise from harmful chemicals migrating from the packaging to the food, or vice-versa.
- Macroscopic scale migration involves movement of large fragments during food processing.
- Submicroscopic scale migration happens via molecular diffusion.
- Migration from packaging to food, often involving submicroscopic chemical compounds, is controlled by molecular diffusion.
- Migration from plastics is of particular concern in relation to consumer safety and regulations.
- "Scalping" refers to the migration of chemical compounds from food to package (reverse migration).
- Flavor scalping is an example, where desirable flavors in food transfer to packaging.
- Food contamination can occur from harmful components in packaging materials like metal, glass, or ceramic, that leads to corrosion. -Desirable and intentional migration of active compounds like antimicrobials or antioxidants are also included.
Migration Process & Potential Migrants
- Potential migrants in plastics, intended for food contact, include additives (e.g., esters, organic salts, amines).
- Additives are small molecules compared to the food matrix, with high mobility in plastics due to their different chemical nature.
- Residuals from the production process, such as monomers, catalysts, solvents, and adhesives, also migrate from packaging to food. -They also have a different chemical nature from the packaging materials and thus high mobility.
- New molecules formed during processing or aging can also migrate. -Ex. acetaldehyde & oligomers in PET.
Non-migrating System
- Negligible migration for high molecular weight polymers, some inorganic residues, or pigments is common.
- Zero assumption on migration may change depending on analytical techniques or regulatory specifications.
- Migration testing does not require direct food-packaging contact but applies to dry solids with limited direct contact.
- Migration to food is limited to volatile compounds with high vapor pressure at room temperature.
- Migration controlled via diffusion in material packaging, not by food characteristics.
Steps for Migration in Case of Poor Food-Package Contact
- Migration diffusion of migrant in package wall toward the food-package interface.
- Desorption of migrant at food-package interface.
- Adsorption of migrant onto food.
Leaching System and Mechanisms
- Requires direct contact between packaging and moist solid/liquid foods
- Mechanism a & b are involved in leaching: -Migrant has high diffusion coefficient in plastic, which easily dissolves into the contacting food. -Migrant has low diffusion in plastic initially, but increases its diffusion coefficient after liquid food component adsorption and diffusion into the package material -- causes swelling from interaction with the solvent.
Migration in the Case of Good Food-Package Contact
- Diffusion of migrant in package wall toward food-package interface.
- Concurrent solvent/food ingredient penetration changes package wall structure, increasing migrant mobility.
- Dissolution of migrant at food-package interface.
- Depends on migrant affinity to the package and food phases.
- Dispersion/diffusion of migrant into food.
- Migrant disperses into liquid foods or diffuses into solid food.
Migration Process Factors
- Diffusional mobility of potential migrants depends on: temperature, time, molecular mass, and chemical affinity with plastic.
- Migration occurs slowly, requiring several days for migrants to pass a few micrometers of plastic.
- Fick's First Law and factors related to it (e.g., diffusion flux, diffusivity, migrant concentration, distance).
- Migration is related to the characteristics of the migrant, food, and contact conditions.
- Volatility & ability of the food component to dissolve the migrant will affect migration.
- Agitation & turbulence during transport promote migration.
Migration Issues in Food Packaging
- The type of food material, contact time, and temperature affect migration extensively.
- Substances migrating from packaging to food can be harmful.
- Even if migration is not harmful, it may affect flavor, taste, or acceptability.
- Preventing food contamination from packaging materials is paramount for food protection.
Chemicals from Plastics
- Plastics, due to their heterogeneity and manufacturing processes, are prone to migration.
- Migration can be linked to additives, residual components from production, and newly formed substances in the plastic.
- Examples of concern include VCM from PVC (a potential carcinogen), plasticizers (e.g., phthalates, increasing flexibility), primary aromatic amines (PAA) and others.
Recycled Plastics
- Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics may contain contaminants from their previous use, contact with other waste, or recycling techniques.
- Effective barriers (not absolute) should be used to prevent chemicals from recycled plastics, paper, and printing inks from migrating into the food.
- Functional barriers (FBs) limit migration of permitted substances and reduce non-permitted amounts to below acceptable levels (e.g., 10 parts per billion in Europe).
Functional Barriers
- Only metals, glass, and PET are currently approved as functional barriers by the EU.
- Functional barriers are used to prevent migration of chemicals, such as those found in recycled materials, paper, and inks, from contaminating food products.
Microwave Susceptor
- Multi-layer structures (part of the packaging or a baking-pan) used to heat food (e.g., with microwave E).
- Aluminum, laminated to paper, boards, or plastic films (e.g., PET, OPP), are examples of materials in this application.
- Elevated temperatures (e.g., up to 200°C in < 1 minute) can promote diffusion and deterioration of the plastic, leading possible migration of adhesive compounds to the food.
Paper & Board
- Potential contamination issue; paper sacks contain chlorophenols, producing chloranisoles that can taint food.
Flavor Scalping & Sorption
- Migration of flavor compounds by the ability of plastic polymers to dissolve many low-molecular-weight substances.
- Sorption is mainly at the material's surface, with penetrations of varying depth and mechanisms (sorption or absorption).
- Effects are usually undesirable as they reduce or alter flavor.
- Effects of sorption affect both the product and container (e.g., vitamins loss, alteration in taste/flavor/color, decrease in antioxidant properties, shortened shelf life).
- Sorption affects the package (e.g., increase in gas/aroma permeability, decrease in mechanical properties leading to cracks and reduced adhesion, decreased seal strength).
Sensory Tainting
- Any material contacted with food must not taint with undesirable tastes or smells.
- Taint is a distinct taste/odor foreign to the food itself and is different from off-flavors.
- Tainting can come from compounds in inks, adhesives, coatings, varnishes, or other materials directly or indirectly contacting food.
Regulations
- Packaging materials need to be safe, ensuring inertness, meaning no migration of unwanted constituents into the food.
- Positive lists contain approved components with specific concentration limits and exclusions.
- Negative lists prohibit specific materials to ensure safety based on toxicity or dangerousness.
Migration Testing and Food Simulants
- Two approaches: Migration testing (simulation) and Predictive migration (mathematical modeling).
- Migration testing involves exposing packaging or samples to food simulants under controlled conditions to simulate food interactions and identify migrated compounds, quantify them, and determine their stability.
- Food simulants are substances whose composition and characteristics closely mimic the characteristics of food, making testing easier and more reliable.
- Simulants include: aqueous solutions (distilled water, acids), alcoholic mixtures, fatty compounds (oils), solids (e.g., adsorbent polymers), and solvents (e.g., heptane, iso-octane).
Migration Testing – Analytical Techniques
- Gravimetric tests determine the overall migration amount of solid substances that migrate.
- Various techniques can be used, including optical density measurements, titration (e.g., KMnO4), and modern or advanced techniques (e.g., FT-IR, GC-MS, LC-MS).
- These modern techniques determine specific migration.
Regulations
- Overall migration limits (OMLs) are limits on the amount (ppm or mg/dm2) of leaking/migrating components from packaging to food product, but values vary between countries.
- Specific migration limit (SML) is a limit on the amount of a specific substance moving from the package to the food.
- Maximum quantity (QM) limit is the maximum permitted concentration of specific substances in the final product.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the migration of substances in food packaging. This quiz covers key concepts such as chemical migration, consumer protection, and interactions between food and packaging materials. Understand the implications of these migrations for food safety and quality.