Chemical Requirements

What should be considered in preparing test samples for migration studies?

Mar 2001

Question: What should be considered in preparing test samples for migration studies?

Answer: The form of the test samples plays an important role in the interpretation of migration results. If using a polymer, the properties of the polymer should be considered. The notifier should choose representative or worst-case properties for testing. If possible, actual food-contact articles or portions thereof (e.g., container walls), or test plaques should be used. In addition, the food-contact substance should be present in the samples at the maximum use level. Depending on the intended use, the notifier may want to use a single or double-sided migration cell. The single-side migration cell (where only one side of the sample is exposed to solvent) is appropriate if the food-contact substance will be applied to a substrate and the notifier is interested in establishing whether the substrate provides a functional barrier to migration of the food-contact substance.

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