Guidance in selecting analytical techniques for identification and quantification of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) in food contact materials (FCMS)

ABSTRACT

There are numerous approaches and methodologies for assessing the identity and quantities of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) in food contact materials (FCMs). They can give different results and it can be difficult to make meaningful comparisons. The initial approach was to attempt to prepare a prescriptive methodology but as this proved impossible; this paper develops guidelines that need to be taken into consideration when assessing NIAS. Different approaches to analysing NIAS in FCMs are reviewed and compared. The approaches for preparing the sample for analysis, recommended procedures for screening, identification, and quantification of NIAS as well as the reporting requirements are outlined. Different analytical equipment and procedures are compared. Limitations of today’s capabilities are raised along with some research needs.

KEYWORDS:

• Food contact materials
• migration
• food packaging
• plastics
• non-intentionally added substances
• NIAS
• chromatographic methods

Glossary

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank all the participants for their valuable comments during the workshop organised by ILSI Europe and the Packaging Materials Task Force on February 24-25, 2021. In particular, the authors acknowledge Dr Mike Neal for his help when reviewing the final manuscript. The authors carried out the work that is, collecting/analysing data/information and writing the scientific paper separate to other activities of the Packaging Materials Task Force. The research reported is the result of a scientific evaluation in line with ILSI Europe’s framework to provide a precompetitive setting for public–private partnership (PPP). Mr Adam Coventry and Dr Lucie Geurts (ILSI Europe) facilitated scientific meetings and coordinated the overall project management and administrative tasks relating to the completion of this work. The opinions expressed herein and the conclusions of this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of ILSI Europe or those of its member companies.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was conducted by an expert group of the European branch of the International Life Sciences Institute, ILSI Europe. This publication was coordinated by the Packaging Materials Task Force. Industry members of this task force are listed on the ILSI Europe website at http://www.ilsi.eu. Members of the experts group were not paid for the time spent on this work; however, the non-industry members within the expert group received a small compensatory sum (honoraria) and travel support from the Packaging Materials Task Force to attend meetings to discuss the review, with the option to decline. For further information about ILSI Europe, please email [email protected] or call [phone].