Abstract
The increasing application of complex natural and/or synthetic polymers to food packaging has required definitive information on the characteristics of the finished products. High temperature encountered during the manufacturing process may induce thermal decomposition products that can migrate into the packaged product and cause undesirable flavor. A general methodology for testing polymer odor and odor contributors is discussed in this article with examples representing the odor of a variety of packaging materials. The precursors and the mechanisms of the major volatile components of each packaging material are presented.