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The premise is put forward that present European regulation of food-packaging materials does not provide the assessment for safety corresponding to the opinion of toxicologists that migrants ingested in amounts exceeding a threshold of 1.5 microg day(-1) should be identified and toxicologically evaluated. Many substances that migrate (the large majority of the components migrating from can coatings) are neither starting point materials, nor obvious derivatives therefrom, and are, therefore, not covered by existing systems based on positive lists. Safety presupposes the comprehensive analysis of the migrating substances, ultimately to the limits in terms of concentration and molecular weight considered to he of toxicological concern. This is a new analytical challenge. In this paper, expected problems are discussed, leading to the conclusion that it will be difficult to achieve comprehensive analysis down to the concentrations presently considered safe, but that systematic work should start to define the possibilities and limitations of analytical chemistry for a migrate-oriented coating legislation.

Materials based on renewable resources are being developed at an increasing rate. Today, the only biobased food-packaging materials used commercially on a major scale are based on cellulose. However, materials based on proteins, starch, polylactate and other renewable resources may be the food-packaging materials of tomorrow. The paper presents some of the different biobased materials and their potential as food-packaging materials.

A survey of plasticizers in cap-sealing resins for bottled foods has been undertaken. During 1997-1999 di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) was found in seven out of 21 samples on the Japanese domestic market and in 10 out of 61 imported samples as well as a further two samples which contained di-(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (DEHA). In the period 1993-1999, of the other plasticizers diacetyl lauroyl glycerol (DALG) was only detected in domestic samples whereas diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and diisononyl phthalate (DINP) were only in imported samples. It was observed overall that DEHP and DEHA were restricted to use in cap-sealing resins for bottled foods. Whilst phthalates, DEHA or DALG were detected in samples in 1993 and 1995, the investigation in 1997-1999 showed fewer samples in which these plasticizers were found.

A number of packaging materials are being used not only to contain food during distribution but also to serve as the cooking container. The higher temperatures that these materials reach led the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue an intent to publish new regulations in 1989. The food and packaging industries responded by conducting extensive research and submitting the results to FDA. The methods used and results obtained are discussed. Most of the data were focused on microwave susceptors and the volatile compounds generated. One project showed that for a specific product, popcorn, there was no transfer into the food. Work is continuing to validate methods to test for non-volatile compounds. In addition to susceptors, various paper and plastic materials are used in dual ovenable (microwave and conventional ovens) applications. Most of the research on these materials has investigated the food contact temperatures on testing for migrants. An update on the current regulatory status of packaging materials intended for high temperature use in the US is discussed.

In the UK, as in other countries, it has been recognized for many years that it is essential to control contamination from food contact plastics. However, experience has demonstrated that such control can be exercised effectively and efficiently without recourse to extensive legislation. This has been achieved by means of a basic legislative framework supported by informal controls which rely to a large extent on close co-operation between Industry and Government. This system has proved its worth over a number of years and, in the absence of any external factors, might still be in operation in ten years. There are, however, powerful external influences, in particular the EEC's harmonization programme on food contact plastics, which make it almost certain that the next ten years will see considerable changes. A move towards more extensive legislative controls seems inevitable. The current UK system of controls, both formal and informal is described. An attempt is then made to predict how this is likely to change over the next ten years. In all probability any major change of approach will arise from the EEC's harmonization programme. Although it is not possible to predict exactly how this programme is likely to proceed in future years, a good indication may be obtained by examining what has been achieved to date.