Food Contact Materials
Topics: We are daily confronted with materials in contact with food. One might think of the packaging of food but also kitchen utensils and even tubing of your coffee machine are to be considered as food contact materials. The use of inappropriate materials during the manufacturing or incorrect use of these food contact materials may lead to the migration of components from the material towards the food. At this moment approximately ten thousand substances are known to be used in food contact materials. Some of these compounds as well as some non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) may cause health risk to the consumer in case of migration into the food.
On the other hand, migration of volatile substances can also change organoleptic properties of packaged food products. Food contact materials and articles are regulated by the Framework Regulation EC 1935/2004 through legislation on specific materials and individual substances or groups of substances used during the manufacturing of food contact materials, as well as by national legislation. Food inspection services are daily controlling food contact material producers, as well as the use of these materials on the level of food industry and retail. Samples of food contact materials are analysed in laboratories and migration tests are carried out.
During this seminar we will focus specifically on the European and Belgian legislation and on control procedures. Furthermore we will tackle the risks associated with the migration of components into food. Moreover the latest developments and hot topics in the area of materials in contact with food will be put forward.