Meaning
Low molecular weight hydrocarbon compounds that arise during polyolefin synthesis, processing, or recycling and can migrate into food products. These compounds consist of both saturated and unsaturated fractions. This contamination is monitored closely by food safety authorities to ensure product safety.
Material Analysis
The presence of these substances is measured using gas chromatography coupled with flame ionization detection. This analysis separates the saturated and unsaturated fractions to quantify the total concentration of polyolefin oligomeric hydrocarbons in the polymer sample. Moulders must ensure that the incoming resin has low levels of these compounds.
Migration Channel
Migration occurs when these small molecules diffuse through the polymer matrix of the packaging film into the food. Thin films and soft packaging materials are particularly susceptible to this process. If the storage temperature is high, the diffusion rate increases, resulting in higher contamination levels.
Sourcing low-migration resins helps packaging manufacturers prevent this problem.
Regulatory Standard
Compliance with European food safety guidelines requires that these hydrocarbon levels remain below strict action limits. Failing to meet these standards can lead to product recalls and legal actions against the brand owner. This risk drives compounders to develop cleaner polymer formulations and forces processors to monitor their extrusion and injection moulding parameters to prevent thermal degradation during production.
