Determination of Aluminum Amount in Packaging Materials: Reliable Packaging

Determination of Aluminum Amount in Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Materials and Materials in Contact with Food

What is Migration? What is the Purpose of Aluminum Determination Performed within the Scope of Specific Migration Test?

The most important issue in food contact materials is migration. Especially in long-term contact with hot foods, element or different substance transitions from many packaging materials to food may occur. In order to detect this, migration analyzes should be performed on packaging materials.

One of the migration analyzes is “Determination of Aluminum Content in Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Materials and Materials in Contact with Food”. With the determination of aluminum, information can be obtained about the amount of aluminum that can pass into food and its risks.

The amount of aluminum in the packaging is determined based on the statementin the Turkish Food Codex (TGK) Regulation on Substances and Materials in Contact with Food: 'These materials cannot pass through these materials in an amount that will endanger human health, cause undesirable changes in the composition of food or changes in sensory properties'.

What is Aluminum Amount Determination in Packaging Materials?

Aluminum is a widely used element in food packaging, especially in materials such as metallized coatings and foil. However, it is an element that needs to be controlled in terms of food safety, as it can migrate into food in high quantities and is toxic. Aluminum quantification in packaging materials is an analysis to determine the amount that this metal can migrate and to ensure food safety.

Application Area

Aluminum quantification is performed on packaging materials in direct contact with food. Such materials include aluminum foil, metallized films, metal containers, composite packaging containing aluminum. European Union and national regulations require the amount of aluminum in these materials to be within certain limits.

Test Procedure:

• Sample Preparation: The material to be tested is cut to specific dimensions and prepared accordingly. The sample is usually ground to homogeneity and made suitable for analysis.
• Chemical Analysis: The most commonly used method of analysis for determining the amount of aluminum is the treatment of the sample with an acid solution. The sample is dissolved in an acidic solution and then the concentration of aluminum is measured with instruments such as induction plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) or atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).
• AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometer): AAS is a classical method for analyzing the amount of aluminum present in a sample. AAS measures the light absorption of aluminum in the sample at a specific wavelength and determines the aluminum concentration based on this absorption.
• ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy): ICP-AES ionizes the ions of aluminum present in the sample and analyzes the emission spectrum of these ions. This ensures a very precise and accurate analysis.

Related National and International Standards

There are international standards and guidelines for aluminum quantification. The European Union has set specific limits for the quantification of aluminum in food contact materials. The concentration of aluminum in packaging in direct contact with food must be below certain limits.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Aluminum Quantification. We also provide services in Paper and Cardboard Packaging Analysis.

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