STUDIES ON FUNCTIONAL BARRIERS TO MIGRATION .1. TRANSFER OF BENZOPHENONE FROM PRINTED PAPERBOARD TO MICROWAVED FOOD

This paper reports studies of migration from paperboard used as packaging for microwave foods. It looks at the possible routes by which migrants may transfer. Ink components applied to the outer surface of paperboard packaging can also be present at the inner (potential food contact) surface. Substances may permeate through the board or transfer while the printed board is stored stacked or on the reel, and may subsequently transfer to foods. The photoinitiator, benzophenone, has been studied as a specific example of this general case. Migration to foods microwaved in paperboard packaging was up to 1000 mu g/kg. Migration up to 400 mu g/kg occurred during storage prior to microwave heating. The mechanism of migration depended on the pack design; occurring hy direct food contact, transient contact with splashed food, or by gas-phase diffusion through an air gap. These findings have implications not only for the migration of ink components but also for other substances found in board. This is of special interest should substances of concern arise in board from the use of recycled fibres.