Additive migration from various plastics with different processing or properties into test fat HB 307

Area of Science:

• Polymer Science
• Food Contact Materials Science

Background:

• Antioxidants are crucial additives in plastics to prevent degradation.
• Understanding additive migration from plastic packaging into food is vital for safety and quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the migration of antioxidant n-octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionate from various plastics into a test fat.
• To evaluate the influence of plastic type, processing method, and physical properties on antioxidant migration.

Main Methods:

• Tested migration from high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
• Examined migration from various product forms: pressed sheets, extruded sheets, injection-molded cups, deep-drawn tubs, and blown bottles.
• Utilized identical test conditions for all plastic specimens and migration into test fat HB 307.

Main Results:

• Migration generally decreased in the order: LDPE > HDPE > PP > HIPS.
• Migration was significantly lower from injection-molded, deep-drawn, and blown products compared to pressed or extruded sheets.
• Antioxidant migration decreased with increasing polymer density; melt flow index had minimal influence.
• Migration from HIPS increased with impact modifier content.

Conclusions:

• Plastic density is a key factor in reducing antioxidant migration.
• Processing methods that induce molecular orientation (e.g., molding, blowing) significantly reduce additive migration.
• The physical form and density of plastic packaging play critical roles in controlling the migration of additives into foodstuffs.