In the food and beverage industry, packaging is not just a protective layer—it plays a vital role in ensuring food safety, extending shelf life, and meeting regulatory standards. While the focus often lies on the quality of food, the safety and suitability of packaging materials are equally important.
Improper or substandard packaging can lead to chemical migration, microbial contamination, or compromised product quality. To prevent this, rigorous testing of packaging materials is essential.
In India, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) enforces the Packaging Regulations, 2018, which mandate that all materials intended for food contact be safe, non-toxic, and compliant with specific standards.
With increasing global trade, sustainability goals, and consumer awareness, packaging material testing has become a crucial step for food business operators, exporters, and manufacturers to ensure compliance, safety, and trust. This blog explores the science behind packaging material testing—including types of materials, testing methods, and regulatory expectations.
What is Food Packaging Material Testing?
Food packaging material testing is a scientific process used to evaluate the safety, durability, and compliance of materials that come into direct or indirect contact with food. It ensures that packaging does not leach harmful chemicals, alter the product, or compromise its quality.
Why is Testing Food Packaging Materials Important?
- Food Safety: Prevents contamination from toxic substances such as plasticizers, phthalates, heavy metals, or bisphenol-A (BPA).
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensures adherence to standards like FSSAI’s Packaging Regulations, 2018, and international norms like EU and USFDA requirements.
- Consumer Trust: Demonstrates a brand’s commitment to health, transparency, and quality.
- Shelf Life & Product Integrity: Verifies that the packaging maintains food quality throughout its lifecycle.
- Sustainability Assurance: Confirms eco-friendly claims such as recyclability, compostability, or biodegradability.
Understanding the Types of Packaging Materials
Today’s food industry uses a wide variety of packaging materials, each chosen based on the product type, shelf-life needs, and logistical factors. These materials can be broadly classified as:
- Plastics – Popular for their lightweight, versatility, and excellent barrier properties. Common types include: Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polystyrene (PS).
- Paper and Cardboard – Eco-friendly and recyclable options often used for dry foods and secondary packaging. These materials may be laminated or coated for added protection against moisture.
- Metals – Used in cans and containers made from aluminum or tinplate, metals offer durability and excellent protection against light, air, and contaminants.
- Glass – An inert material ideal for high-acidity or premium products. While it offers excellent chemical resistance, it is fragile and heavier to transport.
- Multi-layer Laminates – Engineered composites that combine plastic, paper, and aluminum layers. They provide strong barrier properties, flexibility, and cost-efficiency.
Regulatory Standards
Regulatory bodies across the globe have established comprehensive guidelines to oversee the production and use of these materials.
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
FSSAI enforces the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018. These regulations set forth general and specific requirements for packaging materials:
- General Requirements:
- Packaging materials must be of food-grade quality, ensuring they are safe and suitable for their intended use.
- Materials should comply with relevant Indian Standards (IS) or, in their absence, international standards.
- Printing inks used on food packages must conform to IS: 15495 standards.
- Specific Requirements:
- Paper and Board: Must be free from contaminants and suitable for direct food contact.
- Plastics: Should adhere to IS standards pertinent to the type of plastic used.
- Glass, Metal, and Other Materials: Must meet prescribed safety and quality standards to prevent food contamination.
- Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
BIS formulates and maintains the Indian Standards (IS codes) that define the safety, quality, and performance parameters for packaging materials. These standards are referenced by FSSAI for compliance and include:
- IS 9845 – Method for determining overall migration of constituents in plastics.
- IS 15410 – Guidelines for testing plastic containers used for food storage.
- IS 15609 – Specifications for plastic film packaging used in food applications.
- IS 1060 (Part 1) – Mechanical testing methods such as tensile strength and bursting strength.
- IS 10146, IS 10910, and IS 12252 – Material specifications for polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene respectively used in food contact applications.
- European Union (EU)
Food packaging in the EU is governed by Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004, which ensures that materials are safe and do not alter food properties. Additional rules under Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 specifically apply to plastics:
- Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 establishes general safety requirements for all food contact materials, including traceability measures and purity standards.
- Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 sets migration limits for chemicals in plastics and requires a Declaration of Compliance (DoC) at all production stages.
- United States (US)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates food contact materials under Title 21 CFR Parts 170–199 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Food Packaging Material Testing Methods
Various testing methods are employed to assess the performance and compliance of packaging materials. Key testing methods include:
1. Chemical Testing
Chemical testing focuses on evaluating whether substances from packaging materials can migrate into food, which could potentially compromise safety and violate regulatory limits.
- Overall Migration Tests: Measure the total quantity of all substances that may migrate from the packaging into food under specific conditions.
- Specific Migration Testing
Focuses on identifying and quantifying specific contaminants like heavy metals (e.g., barium, cobalt, copper), phthalates, bisphenol-A (BPA) etc., that may leach into food. - Colour Migration Testing
Evaluates whether dyes, pigments, or printing inks from packaging can migrate into the food, particularly relevant for printed or decorated packaging materials.
2. Physical Testing
Physical testing assesses the mechanical strength, durability, and integrity of packaging materials under simulated real-world conditions such as transport, storage, and stacking.
- Tensile Strength and Elongation
Determines the resistance of packaging films or plastics to stretching and breakage, ensuring they can endure mechanical stress during filling or handling. - Bursting Strength
Evaluates the ability of paper-based or laminated packaging materials to withstand internal pressure without rupturing, which is crucial for maintaining product integrity. - Box Compression Test
Measures the compressive load a corrugated box can endure, making it a key assessment for packaging intended for stacking during transportation or warehousing. - Dart Impact Test
Assesses the impact resistance of flexible packaging materials by simulating accidental impacts, thereby verifying the durability of sachets and pouches. - Drop and Vibration Testing
Simulates conditions during handling and transit to ensure the packaging provides adequate protection to the product during accidental drops or continuous vibrations. - Seal Integrity Testing
Verifies the reliability of seals and closures, ensuring that packaging remains leak-proof and prevents contamination during distribution and storage.
Why Choose Envirocare Labs?
At Envirocare Labs, we combine over 45+ years of expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver trusted packaging material testing services.
We offer testing as per Indian Standards, including IS 9845 for migration testing, IS 15410 for plastic container testing—ensuring full regulatory compliance for a variety of packaging applications.
Our packaging material testing capabilities include Overall Migration Testing, Specific Migration Testing including detection of heavy metals, phthalates, Colour Migration Testing and Film Testing as per IS 15609.
Our state-of-the-art infrastructure, Pan-India presence, and scientific approach make us your ideal partner for packaging material testing.