Our dedicated packaging team understands the multifaceted demands of packaging, it not only represents your brand identity, provides critical label information but also leaves a lasting impression on consumers. At the same time, the need for innovative sustainable packaging solutions presents its own unique challenges.
With extensive expertise, cutting-edge facilities, and advanced testing techniques, we offer a comprehensive service for packaging analysis and food contact materials testing. Our focus extends beyond visual appeal, ensuring your food packaging serves its intended purpose while upholding the highest standards of quality and safety at every stage. We will work with you to align your packaging choices with your sustainability goals instilling consumer confidence in your commitment to the environment.
Mechanical strength and integrity: evaluation of the properties of packaging material including ease of opening, seal integrity and strength, and puncture resistance. We perform overall packaging integrity testing of food packaging materials to ensure they can withstand the demands of the supply chain
Material evaluation: physical testing and structural evaluation to assess the suitability of chosen packaging materials for your product with considerations for compatibility and packaging sustainability
Our comprehensive packaging and packaging material analysis service will provide you with the insights needed to make well-informed decisions for your packaging success. Take your next step towards packaging excellence and consumer confidence. Contact us to discuss your requirements or to find out more.
Food contact materials testing assesses whether packaging and other materials intended to come into contact with food are safe and suitable for their intended use. Testing can include migration studies, chemical screening and other analytical techniques to evaluate the potential transfer of substances from packaging into food or food simulants.
Food packaging migration testing assesses whether substances can transfer from food contact materials into food or food simulants. Depending on the material and intended use, testing may include overall migration, specific migration and targeted analysis under defined time and temperature conditions.
Non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) are substances present in food contact materials that have not been deliberately added during manufacture. They may arise from impurities, reaction products, degradation products or manufacturing processes. NIAS screening and identification can help assess their potential significance for food contact safety.
The food contact regulations that apply depend on the packaging material, food type, intended use and market in which the product will be sold. Relevant requirements may include Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 for food contact materials and Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 for plastic food contact materials. RSSL can help determine an appropriate testing strategy based on your packaging and intended application.
Changing to recycled, recyclable, lightweight or alternative packaging materials can affect food-contact safety as well as packaging performance. Factors such as migration, barrier properties, seal integrity, product compatibility and shelf life may need to be reassessed to ensure the new packaging remains suitable for its intended use.
Packaging changes made in response to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and recyclability requirements can have technical consequences for both the packaging and the food it protects. Testing can help evaluate whether alternative materials or packaging formats continue to meet requirements for food-contact safety, barrier performance, integrity and shelf life, supporting more informed packaging decisions.
Packaging can influence food shelf life by controlling exposure to factors such as oxygen, moisture, light and loss of aromas or volatile compounds. Barrier performance, seal integrity and compatibility between the product and packaging can all affect quality and stability over time. RSSL can combine packaging evaluation with shelf-life testing to understand these interactions.
Packaging-related taints and off-flavours can be investigated using analytical and sensory techniques to identify their potential source. Unexpected tastes or odours may originate from packaging materials, inks, coatings, adhesives, processing or storage conditions. RSSL can help identify likely causes and provide evidence to support root-cause investigation and corrective action.
