Meaning
Standardized laboratory procedure that uses a synthetic adsorbent to simulate the migration of chemicals into dry foods. Carrying out tenax migration testing involves placing the plastic sample in contact with modified polyphenylene oxide at specific temperatures.
Regulatory Acceptance
This method is recognized by global food safety authorities as a reliable way to measure potential leaching. Results from tenax migration testing are used to verify that a polymer meets the specific migration limits for additives and monomers. It is particularly useful for testing resins used in the inner layers of folding cartons.
Technical Execution
The duration of the test is adjusted to represent the expected shelf-life of the food product. After the contact period, the chemicals absorbed by the powder are extracted and analyzed using gas chromatography. Tenax migration testing provides a more conservative estimate of migration than liquid simulants for dry applications.
Material Selection
Moulders use the data from these tests to choose resins that will not taint the flavor or safety of the food. If a material fails tenax migration testing, it may require a functional barrier or a change in the additive package. This testing is a critical step in the development of new sustainable packaging materials.
