Metals and Alloys Packaging Testing

Metals and alloys are used in many food contact materials, such as tabletops, tins, film, pots and knives. Some articles and objects intended to come into contact with food are made from pure metals while others are made from alloys or multilayers made from a metal and a different material. All materials and articles intended to come into contact with food must comply with the rules specified in Regulation 1935/2004/EC. Polymeric parts like coatings need to comply with European Plastic Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 but there is no specific harmonised regulation on metals and alloys used in food contact materials at European level (although some EU countries have national specific legislations for metals in contact with food).

However, the European Council has issued a guideline that is based on a health related assessment of certain metals and alloys, CM/Res (2013)9. Here, specific release limits for a wide range of metals are set based on toxicological information. 

In each case, the natural content of various metals contained in foodstuff has to be considered ensuring that the total intake of metals does not exceed the specified acceptable daily intake.