Food packaging materials refer to paper, bamboo, wood, metal, enamel, ceramics, plastics, rubber, natural fibers, chemical fibers, glass and other products used for packaging, food or food additives, and coatings that directly contact food or food additives. Since food packaging materials are in direct contact with food, Article 33 of the Food Safety Law states: “(7) Non-toxic, clean packaging materials, tableware, drinking utensils and containers shall be used for foods directly imported. It ensures the safe, non-toxic and non-volatile substances of the packaging materials themselves. At the same time, during the implementation of the packaging process, there are no substances or chemical components that chemically react with the food ingredients.
First, the risk of food packaging materials
Due to the complexity of the composition of the packaging material, the precipitation of substances in the food packaging material occurs in the food, possibly due to the migration of these substances to the food, or in the food due to accidental extraction. This causes chemical migration of food packaging to have a negative impact on food. The main performance is two aspects:
On the one hand, the migration of harmful substances in synthetic packaging materials into food causes damage to human health.
On the other hand, the migration of substances may cause deterioration of the sensory state of the food, such as the occurrence of odor, discoloration and the appearance of stains.
Modern food packaging uses a large number of chemically synthesized substances, which can be broadly divided into two broad categories: known and unknown. These substances mainly include:
Monomers and other synthetic materials, synthetic materials, solvents and suspension media, packaging materials additives (including antioxidants, antistatic agents, antifogging agents, plasticizers, heat stabilizers, nucleating agents, and dyes and pigments) .
Main packaging materials in food and their risks
material
potential risks
plastic
The resin itself is toxic
Toxic monomers, lysates and toxic substances produced by aging in the resin
Stabilizers, plasticizers, colorants, etc. added to the product during the manufacturing process
Microbial and dust impurity contamination on the surface of packaging containers
Some contaminants and added pigments attached to plastic reclaimed materials
rubber
Additives in natural rubber such as: accelerators, anti-aging agents, fillers, etc.
paper
Contaminants in papermaking materials
Additive residue added during papermaking
Chemical contamination of packaging paper during waxing and fluorescent whitening
Color pigment contamination
Microbial and dust pollution on the surface of finished paper
Inorganic packaging materials
Heavy metal contamination in metal packaging materials, especially lead
Dissolution of metals such as zinc, arsenic and cadmium in recycled aluminum products
Soluble metal in glass products
Additives in high-grade glassware
Metal oxides in enamel, ceramic glaze and glaze during enamel and ceramics production
2. Standard requirements for hazardous substances in food packaging materials in various countries
In order to effectively control harmful substances in food packaging materials, many countries have established restrictions on hazardous substances in food packaging materials.
The EU food contact material regulations include three levels: framework regulations, special directives and separate directives. Among them, the framework regulations stipulate the general principles for the management of food contact materials, the special directives stipulate the series of requirements for each type of material listed in the framework regulations, and the separate directives are specific provisions for a specific specific hazardous substance.
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The management of food packaging materials in the United States is primarily regulated by the federal regulations CFR. Part 21 of the CFR of the United States regulates the management of food and medicine, and Sections 170-186 regulate the management requirements for food packaging materials. 21 CFR 174 (Indirect Use of Food Additives - General) specifies the general requirements for food packaging materials and the legal limits for substances used in contact with food. The general requirements for food contact materials are: materials need to be produced in accordance with GMP requirements; materials need to use substances approved in accordance with 21 CFR 170-189; new materials must be approved and approved by the FDA before they can enter the market.
21 CFR 170-189 has very detailed regulatory requirements for food contact materials. In addition to general requirements, there are corresponding regulations for paper, wood, plastic, coating, rubber, adhesive, etc., as shown in Figure 2. In the corresponding requirements section of different materials, it contains not only the monomers, additives and additives that are allowed to be used in the production of the material, but also the requirements for purity, dosage, etc., as well as the test requirements for the dissolution of the finished product and the dissolution of specific substances. Some plastic materials also have physical properties (such as density, melting point, molecular weight, solubility, etc.).
