A Coating Change That Invalidates a Food Contact Declaration
A raw material shift in barrier coatings alters chemical migration profiles, instantly invalidating food contact declarations and risking complete job quarantine.
Functional Barrier Claim
Protection Layer
Statement of the performance of a specific material layer that prevents or limits the migration of substances from the packaging into the food product. Verification of the barrier property depends on the ability of the material to block the passage of oils, water vapour, gases and volatile organic compounds over a defined shelf life. In paper packaging, a functional barrier claim often refers to a polymer coating or a high density mineral layer applied to the inner surface of the board.
Migration Limit
Verifying the effectiveness of a barrier involves rigorous laboratory testing where the substrate is exposed to food simulants under controlled temperature conditions. The testing measures whether the barrier can keep the migration of chemicals below a specific detection limit or safety threshold. A successful functional barrier claim allows a converter to use recycled fibres in the middle layers of a carton without risking the contamination of the food inside.
This mechanism relies on the impermeability of the barrier layer to the specific molecules of concern, such as mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons.
Safety Certification
Certification of a barrier provides legal assurance to food producers that the packaging meets the safety requirements for direct contact.