Role of food packaging testing

Packaging serves many roles: it must maintain the benefits of food processing after the process is complete and enable food to travel safely for long distances. In summary, important functions of packaging include:

• Protection/ Preservation
• Containment and food waste reduction
• Marketing and information
• Traceability
• Convenience
• Tamper indication

Other functions include communication, unitisation, brand communication, promotion, and apportionment of the product into standard units of weight and measurement.

Characteristics of effective food packaging

In order to serve its purpose safely, packaging must be:

• Non-toxic
• Able to protect against contaminants
• A barrier to moisture and oxygen
• Able to protect against odours or toxicants from the environment entering
• A UV light filtrate
• Resistant to physical damage
• Tamper-resistant, tamper-evident, transparent, easy to open, cost effective, and easy disposable
• Able to maintain compatibility with food

We offer accurate, rapid and reliable testing services for different packaging materials such as:

• Metals – aluminum, foils, laminates, tin plates, tin-free metallised films
• Paper and paper boards – kraft paper, sulphite paper, grease proof paper, glassine paper, parchment paper, white board
• Plastics – polyolefins, polyesters, polycarbonate, PEN, PET, EVOH, PVC, polyamide, laminates, co-extrusions, biodegradable plastics
• Glass

Additional services

In addition to our core analytical services, Eurofins Food & Feed Testing provides a wide range of solutions related to irradiation:

• Consulting on regulatory labelling requirements (“irradiated” or “treated with ionising radiation”)
• Verification of irradiation facilities and processes for suppliers
• Batch screening and routine monitoring programmes
• Customised testing strategies for complex product portfolios
• Training and webinars on food irradiation and detection methods

Testing services offered 

Packaging is mainly tested to ensure the safety of its contents during transportation and storage. We offer broad range of testing methods that are applicable to food products and ingredients, as well as for new food packaging designs.

• Migration testing for food contact materials (FCM) – overall migration limit, special migration limit, color migration as per Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) packaging Regulation 2019
• Migration testing for food contact materials (FCM) – overall migration limit, special migration limit, color migration as per (EU) No 10/2011 and FDA regulations
• Overall migration as per IS 9845 and EN 1186
• Specific migration for metals and poly aromatic amines
• Detection of potential toxic components including heavy metals like cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, mercury, phthalates, volatile organic substances
• Plasticisers
• Biodegradable packaging food contact testing
• Bisphenol-A

Why work with us?

• Our knowledge and experience in food packaging testing offers unique advantages for solving out complex issues through analytical testing. According to our customers' specific needs, we can also offer special services
• Fast turn-around time 
• We offer a point of local contact along with access to a global network.
• Participation in industry associations and regulatory bodies allowing early intervention on potential food scares and legal obligations
• Expert advice testing schemes, on-site check for hygiene and allergens, labelling advice and traceability
• Ensure your products and our testing services meet the regulations of local, national and international rules for food and food products
• Ensure correct storage, shipping, packing and distribution of commodities, food ingredients and food