Extraction Medium
Standardized solvents consisting of 95 percent ethanol in water are used to substitute for fatty foods during migration testing of packaging materials. Global food safety authorities specify food simulant d3 to determine the quantity of chemical substances that might transfer from a plastic or coated paper surface into a food product. This specific concentration mimics the extraction behavior of certain dairy products and alcoholic beverages.
Fat Simulation
Solvent interaction with the polymer matrix pulls out mobile molecules like plasticizers, antioxidants, UV stabilizers or residual monomers. Testing involves placing the packaging material in contact with the liquid for a defined period at a controlled temperature that reflects the intended storage conditions. After the contact time ends, the liquid is analyzed using chromatography to identify and quantify any substances that have migrated from the substrate.
This analytical step is sensitive enough to detect parts per billion of specific migrants, ensuring that the packaging does not alter the chemical composition of the food.
Regulatory Compliance
Limits are set for both the total amount of material that can migrate and for specific hazardous substances that have individual restrictions. If the migration levels exceed the legal threshold, the packaging material is deemed unsafe for contact with the relevant food types. This simulant is often used alongside others, like distilled water or acetic acid, to provide a full profile of the material safety across different food categories.
