The effect of microwave energy on specific migration from food contact plastics

Experiments have been carried out with (a) microwave treatment of plastics followed by migration testing using the food simulant, olive oil, and (b) microwave treatment of plastics in direct contact with an organic extractant (iso-octane). In neither of these complementary approaches was there evidence of any difference in migration from plastics that had been microwave-treated compared with plastics that had received an equivalent thermal treatment. Five plastics commonly employed in microwave applications were tested and oligomers, plasticizer, antioxidant and volatile contaminants were monitored as representatives of typical migration species.