[Examination of plastic food-packaging materials]

The aim of the work was evaluation of the hygienic quality of plastic packaging material and its elements intended for direct contact with food products. The study carried out in the years 1986-1989 comprised 3066 samples taken from 20 provinces. A considerable number of the studied materials had no attest of the State Institute of Hygiene (19.54%). The proportion of samples with such attest accepted as unsuitable was lower than that without attest (unacceptable organoleptic features--4.83%, or results of chemical investigations--2.87%). In some materials high amounts of cadmium and lead were found which suggested that they had been made of technical plastic materials containing unacceptable stabilizers or dyes derived from these metals. The obtained results indicate the necessity of control of plastic materials intended for contact with food products to eliminate these which would have a negative effects on the health.