[Analysis of Additives and Resin Components in Food Containers and Packaging Using Pyrolysis GC-MS]

In response to the enforcement of the positive list (PL) system for food containers and packaging, we investigated the applicability of pyrolysis GC-MS as a testing method for evaluating compliance with this list. Samples were heated using a pyrolysis device, and the analytical conditions were established based on thermograms obtained from evolved gas analysis (EGA)-MS. Volatile components, such as additives and residual monomers, were detected using thermal desorption (TD)-GC/MS, whereas polymeric components and other base materials were analyzed using pyrolysis (Py)-GC/MS. The results demonstrated that the method enabled the estimation of the compounds and materials. However, similarly to previously reported methods aimed at compliance with the PL system, compounds that did not match the library or those presumed to be non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) were also detected. However, compared to conventional methods, the proposed approach requires a smaller sample amount, does not need pretreatment, is simple and rapid, allows material identification in a single series of analyses, and can detect additives at low levels. Therefore, this method is considered useful for monitoring and providing guidance related to the PL system.