Microwave enhances overall migration from PVC to foods

Packag. Technol. Sci. 12, 277-281.

Galotto, M., Guarda, A., 1999. Comparison between thermal and microwave treatment on the overall migration of plastic materials Intended to be in contact with foods.

The results are presented of overall migration testing of a wide range of plastic packaging, intended to come into direct contact with foodstuffs, after microwave cooking. The values for overall migration obtained for all the plastic materials tested are significantly below the limit required by Directive 90/128/EEC. Among the materials tested, it can be pointed out that PVC is the material whose overall migration increases most significantly after microwave cooking, and it is also affected by aqueous simulants in contact with it. Acetic acid promotes migration for PVC after microwave cooking. The results have been compared with overall migration of same samples at normal conditions (40°C for 10 days), and after thermal treatment at 80°C and 121°C for 30 minutes.

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… Overall migration is understood as the total mass of non-volatile substances migrating from plastic materials and articles, under strictly defined conditions, into food or a food simulant, the selection of which is governed by the type of foodstuff involved. ..

The study was performed using the recommended aqueous food simulants: distilled water; 3% (w/w) acetic acid in aqueous solution; and 15% ethanol in aqueous solution, according to Directive 85/572/EEC. …

CONCLUSIONS * Microwave cooking produces an increase in the overall migration values for PVC samples, and there is no evident influence of microwave heating for the other samples studied. * Simulant B shows greater extraction of migrants for PVC samples than simulants A and C, with simulant A being the most inert for this material.