In the dynamic landscape of the food industry, where ensuring the safety and quality of products is paramount, one crucial yet often overlooked aspect is the packaging material that directly interacts with the food we consume.
At Envirocare Labs, we grasp the significance of this intricate relationship. As a leading plastic material testing lab, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive testing solutions that guarantee the safety and compliance of food packaging materials.
Understanding the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations 2019
- Compliance Mandate: The regulations, effective from July 1, 2019, mandate that every food business operator ensures the packaging material used aligns with these stringent regulations.
- Food-Grade Quality: Materials in direct or potential contact with food during packaging, preparation, storing, wrapping, transportation, sale, or service must meet the criteria for food-grade quality.
- Suitability for Product and Storage: Packaging materials should be apt for the specific product type, storage conditions, and the equipment used for filling, sealing, and packaging, including transportation conditions.
- Resilience to Stresses: Materials must withstand mechanical, chemical, or thermal stresses encountered during normal transportation. Flexible or semi-rigid containers may necessitate overwrap packaging.
- Hygienic Packaging: Food products are to be packed in clean, hygienic, and tamper-proof packages or containers, ensuring the integrity of the enclosed food.
- Compatibility of Sealing Material: Sealing material must be compatible with the product, containers, and closure systems used, ensuring a secure and contamination-free packaging process.
- Durability of Reusable Containers: Plastic containers (5 litres and above) and glass bottles reused for food packaging must be suitably durable, easy to clean, or disinfect.
- Printing Ink Standards: Printing inks for food packages should conform to IS: 15495. The printed surface of packaging material must not come into direct contact with food products.
- Multilayer Packaging Requirements: In multilayer packaging, the layer in direct contact with food or layers likely to come in contact must meet the specified requirements in Schedule I, II, and III of the regulations.
- Tin Container Prohibition: Tin containers, once used, are strictly prohibited from being reused for the packaging of food.
- Avoidance of Unfit Materials: Newspaper or similar materials are prohibited from use in storing and wrapping food, ensuring the avoidance of materials unfit for maintaining food safety.
- NABL Certificate Requirement: Every food business operator must obtain a certificate of conformity from an NABL-accredited Plastic Material Testing Lab against these regulations for packaging material directly or potentially in contact with food.
Migration Test for Packing
Migration testing serves as a proactive measure to assess the safety of plastic and polymeric materials in contact with food. By scrutinizing potential chemical transfers, manufacturers ensure that the packaging process does not introduce harmful substances into the food chain.
This comprehensive analysis aligns with the broader mission of creating packaging materials that not only protect but also prioritize consumer well-being.
We conduct comprehensive overall migration tests, ensuring that packaging materials stay well below the prescribed limits of 60mg/kg or 10mg/dm2, as per IS 9845.
The precision of our testing extends to ensuring no visible colour migration, assuring not only safety but also maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the packaging.
Table 1 – Requirement for specific migration limits of substances from plastic materials intended to be in contact with articles of food
| Substance | Maximum Migration Limit (mg/kg) |
| Barium | 1.0 |
| Cobalt | 0.05 |
| Copper | 5.0 |
| Iron | 48.0 |
| Lithium | 0.6 |
| Manganese | 0.6 |
| Zinc | 25.0 |
| Antimony | 0.04 |
| Phthalic acid, bis (2- ethylhexyl) ester (DEHP) | 1.5 |
Plastic Material Testing Lab I Mumbai
At Envirocare Labs, we take pride in offering comprehensive testing solutions that go beyond the conventional. Our meticulous approach encompasses a range of tests, each designed to guarantee the safety, compliance, and overall excellence of your packaging materials.
1. Overall Migration Tests: This crucial analysis involves examining all packaging materials to determine if any chemical substances migrate into the food. Our state-of-the-art testing protocols, coupled with decades of expertise, ensure that your packaging materials meet and exceed international safety standards.
2. Colour Migration Tests: Our colour migration tests scrutinize packaging materials to guarantee that no undesirable colour elements transfer to the food. This not only upholds the visual appeal of your products but also ensures consumer confidence in the quality of your brand.
3. Specific Migration Tests for Plastic Packaging: Plastic packaging demands a specialized approach. Our specific migration tests for substances like Barium, Cobalt, Copper, Iron, Lithium, Manganese, Antimony, and Phthalic acid, bis (2-ethylhexyl) ester (DEHP) are designed to provide a meticulous evaluation. We go beyond standard requirements, focusing on key substances critical for the safety and integrity of your plastic packaging materials.
Why Choose Envirocare Labs:
- Decades of Experience: With over 43 years in the industry, we bring unparalleled expertise to every test.
- Accreditation: Our commitment to quality is validated by our prestigious ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation.
- Comprehensive Solutions: We offer a suite of tests that cover all aspects of material safety, leaving no room for compromise.