NIAS: Understanding Hidden Contaminants in Food Packaging

Why is the NIAS Test Important?

NIAS: Inside Packaging

When it comes to food safety, the content of packaging materials is of paramount importance. So what's behind the colorful and attractive packaging we see on grocery shelves? Packaging materials are designed to preserve the freshness and safety of food, but sometimes they can unintentionally contain substances that threaten our health. These are called "Non-Intentionally Added Substances" or NIAS.

Packaging is essential for protecting, transporting and extending the shelf life of food. However, some of the chemicals they contain can pose a threat to our health. This is where the NIAS test comes in and reveals this hidden danger in packaging. This ensures compliance with food safety standards and protects consumers from potential health risks. The NIAS test is especially important for packaging that comes into direct contact with food.

An Important Detail for Our Health

NIAS stands for "Substances Not Intentionally Added" and refers to chemicals that may be present in packaging material but have not been intentionally added. These can result from raw materials used in the manufacturing process, additives or interaction with the packaging itself.

Why are these substances important? Because they can affect our health! Fortunately, thanks to the NIAS test, these substances can be detected and precautions can be taken. Where necessary, toxicological risk assessments are carried out and substances that may have an impact on health are listed.

Why theNIAS Test is Important

NIAS testing involves analysis to detect and quantify these undesirable substances in packaging material. These tests are essential to ensure compliance with food safety standards and protect us from potential health risks. NIAS testing is a legal requirement, especially for packaging in direct contact with food. Some of the key legislation in the European Union on food contact materials and NIAS are:

(EU) No 10/2011: Basic regulation for plastic materials and articles. This regulation includes the definition, risk assessment and limitations of NIAS.
(EC) No 1935/2004: General framework regulation for all materials and articles in contact with food. This regulation specifies that materials must not cause harm to human health and must not unacceptably alter the composition of food.
(EC) No 2023/2006: Regulation on GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice). This regulation mandates the application of GMP in the production of food contact materials and aims to minimize the occurrence of NIAS.

These regulations provide an important framework to ensure the safety of packaging materials and protect consumers. NIAS testing is a critical tool to ensure compliance with these regulations and guarantee food safety.

Which Packages Are Being Tested?

Virtually every kind of packaging imaginable: plastic, paper, cardboard, metal, glass... even multi-layer packaging, packaging made from recycled materials and bio-based packaging are covered by the NIAS test.

How is theNIAS Test Conducted?

NIAS tests use highly sophisticated analytical techniques to detect and quantify unintentionally added substances in packaging materials. These techniques provide precise and accurate results to unravel the complex nature of NIAS components and assess safety risks. Here are the main methods used:

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): This method is used to analyze volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds. The sample obtained from the packaging material is first separated into its components by gas chromatography. Each component is then identified and quantified by measuring its mass-to-charge ratio by mass spectrometry. GC-MS is particularly effective in detecting organic NIAS components in plastic packaging.
Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS):. This method is ideal for the identification of less volatile, polar organic compounds that cannot be analyzed by GC-MS and especially for the identification of unknown NIAS components. The sample is first separated into its components by liquid chromatography. The mass-to-charge ratio of each component is then measured very precisely with advanced mass spectrometers (e.g. Q-TOF, Orbitrap) capable of high-resolution and accurate mass measurement, making it a particularly powerful technique for the detection and identification of NIAS components in food contact paper, cardboard and multilayer complex packaging.

Why Nanolab?

Nanolab Laboratories Group has a specialized team and state-of-the-art equipment for NIAS testing of packaging. With our reliable and fast analysis results, we help you ensure the safety of your packaging. You can contact us to learn more about NIAS testing and other packaging analysis.

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