Packaging

From the analytical point of view, it is possible to characterize the different packaging materials. As far as metal materials are concerned, it is possible to determine composition, structure, morphology, adherence and chemical resistance of inorganic (tin and chromium) and organic (lacquer) coatings.

Accelerated corrosion tests of metal materials, raw and/or lacquered, provide a good system to predict what will happen over time due to contact with certain foods.

With regard to plastic materials, it is important to know composition, structure, chemical, physical-mechanical and thermal behaviour, as well as permeability to permanent gases and water vapour.

Based on the aforementioned properties, the type of product to be packaged and the type of packaging/conditioning technology to be adopted, it is possible to make a careful choice of the material to be used in the packaging.

Each food, based on its physico-chemical and microbiological stability properties, requires a certain type of packaging able to preserve it for a suitable time. Depending on the food considered, it is therefore very important to evaluate the mechanical properties, the tightness and the technological suitability properties of the packaging to avoid problems that could affect the health of the consumer (microbial recontamination, migration of substances from the food packing materials to food) or economic problems (packaging failure due to chemical corrosion or mechanical failure).

Metal and plastic packages in fact, have a series of advantages and disadvantages that must be evaluated each time according to the food taken into consideration. In the case of the placing on the market of a new type of packaging, a whole series of evaluations must be carried out, ranging from suitability to food contact (overall and specific migration tests) to the evaluation of the shelf-life of the product through the execution of pack-tests and/or biotests; also transport simulation through the use of a vibration table can be useful to evaluate the mechanical resistance of the container during transport.

Technical consultancy interventions mainly concern the identification of the causes of spoilage, internal and external corrosion, deformations of mechanical and physical origin in both rigid (steel and glass) and flexible (bottles, trays and pouches) packs, closing problems of the containers (twist-off capsule screwing, tinplate can seaming).

In all cases the problem is dealt with by following all aspects: analytical, technological and plant engineering. An example is the search for causes of spoilage in aseptically filled products in tanks or sterile bags. In these cases, the consulting work includes: on-site sampling of the headspace gases, of the product contained in the swollen packages and of the emptied container. Subsequently, if the results of the microbiological tests and/or the tests on the containers show any responsibility by the aseptic system, further investigations are agreed for the identification of the malfunctioning/damaged plant area (cooling tube bundles, recirculation valves, seals, tightness, tank and aseptic system sanitization procedures, filling head, etc.)

Non-food

In addition to classic food packages, containers are tested for aerosol products (food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and technical), general line (food, technical and chemical) and parts of plants: even in these cases, the compliance with the specifications declared by the manufacturer can be verified and the causes of non-compliance be assessed.

As regards aerosol and general line packages, one of the fundamental properties to be evaluated is the aggressiveness resistance of the products. Studies on new formulations can also be carried out. As to plants, the studies relating the corrosion of metal parts are of pivotal importance.

For packaging companies, and their users, an analysis service is offered for the hygiene and health control of the packaging. The suitability of food containers is subject to passing general migration tests and, where applicable, specific migration tests, which must be carried out before the products are marketed.

These tests are codified, at Community level (by different regulations and directives, lastly Regulation (EU) n.10/2011 of 14 January 2011, regarding plastic materials) or at national level for other types of packaging materials, by specific regulations (for Italy the Ministerial Decree 21 March 1973 and subsequent updates and Community Regulations 1935/2005 and 2023/2006) that impose very specific limits for global migration, that is to say for everything that can migrate from a package to the product contained, regardless of the type of compound migrated.

For some substances that can migrate from the container and are considered potentially dangerous for the consumer’s health, the legislation imposes very restrictive limits, different and specific for each of them. For example, there are specific migration limits for Bisphenol A, Badge and derivatives, which can migrate from epoxy-based lacquers, as well as for plasticizers, such as polyadipates or some types of adipates, and for other substances used in the formulation of capsule gaskets closing glass jars.

All the above is not only valid for packaging but also for materials and for all objects intended to come into contact with food products. Therefore, tools (both domestic and industrial), specimens obtained from conveyor belts, transfer tubes, parts of machinery, etc. can also be analysed.

To test a material that will be part of a packaging or plant, the tests can be performed on suitably prepared specimens. The same is applied to materials for which contact with food is expected. Tests similar to those carried out on packages are also carried out on stainless steel objects, rubbers and glass.

Suitability analyses are also conducted for contact with water intended for human consumption (DM of 6 April 2994, No. 174), or with medicinal products, galenic preparations and medical-surgical aids for human use (Circular of Health Ministry of 28 December 1977, No. 84) and of compliance of ceramic objects (DM 4/4/85 and 1/02/07).

At the end of the tests a certificate is issued that certifies the compliance of the sample from the point of view of overall and specific migration under the conditions used for the tests.

Furthermore, a massive regulatory support is made available to the user with regard to contact materials, a support which, going well beyond the analytical service, is a real internal consultancy, although not economically quantified.