Food Contact Migration (FCM)

Food Contact Migration (FCM) Testing

Food Contact Migration test is a type of analysis conducted to assess the transfer of substances from materials or articles intended for food contact to the food itself. This test is essential to ensure that food packaging materials, containers, utensils, and other food-contact articles do not transfer harmful or undesirable substances to the food they come into contact with.

Today, Food contact migration test is essential for verifying safety and ensuring compliance with food contact regulations. Migration limits were established based on toxicological risk assessments, it is aim to control the exposure of substances in food packaging materials to protect human health. Thus, Food Contact Migration has been a concern addressed by various legislative frameworks globally, especially the European Framework Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004.

Under this regulation, food contact migration must not pose risks to human health, alter organoleptic properties, or affect food composition. European Plastic Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011, amended by EU 2020/1245, sets an overall migration limit of 10 mg/dm² for the total sum of migrating substances, along with specific migration limits for Heavy Metals and other additives. Overall Migration Testing (OMT) encompasses all substances transferred from food packaging to food, irrespective of their nature or toxicological profile.

BIOCHEM offers comprehensive of overall migration testing in accordance with international standards, EN 1186, utilizing food simulants such as Acetic Acid, Ethanol, Iso-Octane, and Vegetable Oil. Our services extend to specific migration testing for various chemicals present in food packaging materials, including heavy metals and Ammonium. For Plastic Packaging Materials, specific migration testing adheres to standard EN 13130.

We tailor Compliance Test Strategies to pinpoint analytical needs and alternative methods for ensuring compliance with both Overall and Specific Food Migration limits. Our expertise in migration testing guarantees your food packaging materials meet updated regulatory requirements, bolstering consumer safety and aligning with industry standards.