Migration levels of PVC plasticisers: Effect of ionising radiation treatment

Migration levels of commercial plasticisers [di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA) and acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC)] from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film into the EU specified aqueous food simulants (distilled water, 3% w/v acetic acid and 10% v/v ethanol) were monitored as a function of time. Migration testing was carried out at 40 °C for 10 days (EEC, 1993). Determination of the analytes was performed by applying the analytical methodology based on surfactant (Triton X-114) mediated extraction prior to gas chromatographic-flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) recently proposed by our group. The study focuses on the determination of the effect of gamma radiation on plasticiser migration into the selected simulants. PVC cling film used was subjected to ionising treatment with a [⁶⁰Co] source at doses equal to 5, 15 and 25 kGy. DEHA and ATBC migration into the EU aqueous simulating solvents was limited, yielding final concentrations in the respective ranges 10–100 μg/l and 171–422 μg/l; hence, ATBC demonstrated a stronger interaction with all three simulants compared to DEHA. Migration data, with respect to ATBC, showed that the most aggressive simulant seemed to be the 10% ethanol, while in the case of DEHA the 3% aqueous acetic acid exhibited the highest extraction efficiency; distilled water demonstrated the lowest migration in both cases. With regard to PVC treatment with gamma rays, high radiation doses up to 25 kGy produced a statistically significant (p < 0.05) effect on the migration of both plasticisers.     

Development and validation of an HPLC method with fluorescence detection for the determination of fluorescent whitening agents migrating from plastic beverage cups

An HPLC method with fluorescence detection has been developed and validated for the quantification of six fluorescent whitening agents (FWA) in plastic beverage cups after extraction and in food simulants after migration at 70°C for 2 h. The sensitivity of the method was high with LODs ranging from 0.053 to 0.251 μg kg^?1 and LOQs from 0.107 to 0.504 μg kg^?1. Accuracy and precision were highly acceptable, with recoveries greater than 82% and RSDs (%) below 16%. The expanded combined uncertainty was found to be less than 23% for the measurements of all studied FWAs. In extracting the analytes from food contact materials (FCM), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) and Soxhlet extraction were applied using ethanol as the extraction solvent. The results obtained for FWA in 10 different food plastic cups, made from different polymers, were compared. The ASE technique proved to be faster, more effective and efficient than Soxhlet extraction. Migration tests with official food simulants from Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 showed that the substances studied could potentially migrate using the selected migration conditions. The most pronounced effect was observed in case of simulant D1 (50% w/v ethanol in water). The analytical method proved to be a simple, fast, sensitive and reliable tool for the simultaneous quantification of six of the most used FWAs in both FCM extracts and food simulants after migration experiments.     

纳米二氧化钛改性LDPE薄膜中纳米钛粒子在食品模拟物中的迁移研究

为探究纳米改性LDPE薄膜中纳米钛粒子在食品模拟物中的迁移规律,根据欧盟法规(EU)NO.10/2011,分别采用蒸馏水、3%乙酸溶液(m/V)、10%乙醇溶液(V/V)、95%乙醇溶液(V/V)作为中性、酸性、脂肪性和酒精性食品模拟物,研究在不同温度条件下(40℃和70℃)纳米钛粒子的迁移情况,并研究了微波和紫外处理对迁移结果的影响。研究发现,纳米钛粒子在四种食品模拟物中的迁移量从高到低依次为:酸性食品模拟物、中性食品模拟物、酒精性食品模拟物和脂肪性食品模拟物,并且温度的升高能够促进纳米钛粒子的迁移。纳米钛粒子的迁移量范围为0.0046 mg/kg~0.61 mg/kg。此外,微波处理也能够促进纳米钛粒子的迁移,紫外处理则没有这样的促进作用。根据欧盟规定所允许的最大迁移量5 mg/kg,迁移实验表明纳米二氧化钛改性LDPE薄膜能够作为一种安全的食品包装膜。     

Overall migration from commercial coextruded food packaging multilayer films and plastics containers into official EU food simulants

The overall migration from a wide range of commercial five-layer coextruded packaging films into aqueous food simulants (distilled water, 3% aqueous acetic acid) and alternative fatty food simulant (iso-octane) was studied. The overall migration from commercial plastics cups (PS, HIPS, and PP) used for ice-cream or yogurt packaging into distilled water and 3% aqueous acetic acid was also studied. Test conditions for packaging material/food simulant contact and method of overall migration analysis were according to the EU directives and CEN-standards. The results showed that for all tested five-layer films and plastics (PS, HIPS, and PP) cups values of overall migration into aqueous simulants (0.11-0.79 mg/dm², 2.3-15.9 mg/l) and (<0.10-0.41 mg/dm², <0.80-3.1 mg/l) were significantly lower than the upper limit (10 mg/dm²) for overall migration from plastic packaging materials and articles into food and food simulants set by the EU Directive 90/128/EEC and their revisions. The overall migration values from five-layer materials into iso-octane were significantly higher (0.94-8.23 mg/dm², 18.8-164.7 mg/l) than the above values but are still lower than the upper limit for overall migration. Global migration values of five-layer films into aqueous food simulants seems to be independent of material thickness. In contrast, overall migration into iso-octane increases with film thickness.     

Migration of plasticisers from Tritan™ and polycarbonate bottles and toxicological evaluation

This study is aimed to compare Tritan™ and polycarbonate (PC) from a point of view of migration of monomers and additives and toxicological evaluation. Migration assays were performed according with Commission Regulation (UE) No. 10/2011. Samples were incubated at 40 °C for three consecutive periods of 10 days. Identification and quantification of the compounds intended to migrate was done using solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC–MS) in scan mode. Compounds identified in Tritan™ were 2-phenoxyethanol (2-PE), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), bisphenol A (BPA), benzylbuthyl phthalate (BBP) and dimethyl isophthalate (DMIP) at levels from 0.027 ± 0.002 to 0.961 ± 0.092 μg/kg, although in the 3rd migration period, BBP and DMIP were the only compounds detected well below the specific migration limit. On the other hand, BPA was the only compound detected in PC polymers at a mean concentration of 0.748 μg/kg. In vitro bioassays for (anti)estrogenic, (anti)androgenic as well as retinoic acid- and vitamin D-like activity were negative for Tritan™ and PC migrates. BPA and DMIP were estrogenic in high concentrations. Exposure of the estrogen-sensitive molluskan sentinel Potamopyrgus antipodarum confirmed the estrogenic activity of BPA in vivo at 30 μg/L.     

超高效液相色谱法同时测定食品塑料包装材料中紫外吸收剂和抗氧化剂的迁移量

目的建立食品塑料包装材料中限用紫外吸收剂(UV-0、UV-9、UV-71、UV-326、UV-327、UV-234)和抗氧化剂(2246、425、TH-1790、3114和1076)迁移量的超高效液相色谱(ultra performance liquid chromatography,UPLC)测定方法。方法优化仪器条件及模拟液萃取条件,考察超纯水、3%乙酸水(V:V)溶液、10%乙醇水(V:V)溶液及95%乙醇水(V:V)溶液等4种食品模拟物中紫外吸收剂和抗氧化剂的迁移量,并将建立的方法用于市售样品迁移量的检测。结果 11种目标物质在相应的浓度范围内线性关系良好,相关系数r~2大于0.9992,方法检出限为0.5~2.0 mg/L;平均加标回收率为81.2%~113.2%,相对标准偏差(n=6)为2.8%~8.5%。结论该检测方法灵敏、准确,满足欧盟指令(EU)No.10/2011和GB 9685-2008对食品塑料接触材料及制品中紫外吸收剂和抗氧化剂特定迁移量(SML)的限量要求,适用于食品塑料包装材料中紫外吸收剂和抗氧化剂的迁移量的测定。     

Migration of nanoparticles from plastic packaging materials containing carbon black into foodstuffs

Carbon black was investigated to assess and quantify the possibility that nanoparticles might migrate out of plastic materials used in the food packaging industry. Two types of carbon black were incorporated in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polystyrene (PS) at 2.5% and 5.0% loading (w/w), and then subjected to migration studies. The samples were exposed to different food simulants according to European Union Plastics Regulation 10/2011, simulating long-term storage with aqueous and fatty foodstuffs. Asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) coupled to a multi-angle laser light-scattering (MALLS) detector was used to separate, characterise and quantify the potential release of nanoparticles. The AF4 method was successful in differentiating carbon black from other matrix components, such as extracted polymer chains, in the migration solution. At a detection limit of 12 µg kg^?1, carbon black did not migrate from the packaging material into food simulants. The experimental findings are in agreement with theoretical considerations based on migration modelling. From both the experimental findings and theoretical considerations, it can be concluded that carbon black does not migrate into food once it is incorporated into a plastics food contact material.     

Diffusion coefficient of antimony leaching from polyethylene terephthalate bottles into beverages

A variety of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles commercially available as soft drink containers from 80 different brands was collected in Japan and subsequently examined to determine the amount of Sb in both the PET plastic and drink. The concentration of Sb in the plastic material ranged from 0.1 to 216.5 mg/kg, while this value ranged from 0.3 to 1.6 μg/L in bottled solutions. The diffusion coefficients of Sb in PET samples were determined at 25, 40, 55, and 70 °C. The migrated-Sb in all simulated food solutions (e.g., ultra pure water, 4% acetic acid, and 50% ethanol) increased with storage time and temperature. The temperature-dependent diffusion coefficients were derived from the Arrhenius equation. The predicted model for Sb migration suggested that storage conditions of all PET drink products should be below 70 °C for a maximum of 72 d to avoid Sb levels above the recommended value of 5 μg/L, which is based on the European standards.     

Migration of epoxidised soybean oil from PVC gaskets of commercial lids: simulation of migration under various conditions and screening of food products from Czech markets

Previous studies have shown that a large number of polyvinylchloride (PVC) lid gaskets exceed the existing migration limits for epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) and correct prediction of ESBO release into food therefore appears to be a difficult issue. ESBO migration from PVC gaskets of metal closures into food simulants and food products from the Czech market is evaluated during a survey in 2009 and subsequently one in 2012 to assess progress in lid manufacturing and official testing conditions. ESBO migration from lids into various food simulants was studied at various temperatures (25, 40 and 60°C) during storage times up to 12 months. ESBO released into food simulants or food products was transmethylated, derivatised and analysed by GC-MS. The levels of ESBO migration in foodstuffs in 2012 exceeded the specific migration limit (SML) in fewer products in comparison with the previous survey. However, most of the products were analysed at a time far from the expiry date and exceedance of the SML at the end of the product shelf life is not therefore excluded. More severe test conditions (60°C for 10 days) for specific migration given by the current European Union legislation (Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011) still seem to be insufficient for the simulation of ESBO migration during long-term storage.     

Comparison of migration from polyethersulphone and polycarbonate baby bottles

This work presents two analytical methods developed for measuring three components of polyethersulphone (PES) and applying them to the migration testing of 30 baby bottles made of PES. The study also provides migration results under the same conditions for bisphenol A (BPA) from 40 polycarbonate baby bottles using a well-established method adapted to low concentrations. For PES bottles, migration of diphenyl sulphone (DPS), 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulphone (DCPS) and 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl sulphone (DHPS; also known as bisphenol S) was carried out using two different analytical methods with detection limits of 0.1-0.3 μg/kg, and, therefore, much below their respective European Commission Directive 2002/72/EC legislative migration limits of 50-3000 μg/kg, respectively. In parallel, 40 bottles made of polycarbonate were analysed for the migration of BPA using a method validated at EU level and modified to give a lower detection limit of 0.1 μg/kg. Migration tests were conducted into the simulant for milk 50% EtOH (as per Commission Regulation No. 321/2011 of 1 April 2011) according to the test conditions from the guidelines on test conditions for articles in contact with foodstuffs (with a focus on kitchenware) prepared by the EU Reference Laboratory and its network of National Reference Laboratories. None of the 30 bottles made of PES released any detectable amounts of DCPS or DHPS and only two bottles released a very low amount of DPS of ~1 μg/kg in the milk food simulant compared to a regulatory limit of 3000 μg/kg. For PC bottles, 32 bottles of 40 (80%) did not release BPA above the LOD of 0.1 μg/kg (in any of the three migration tests performed on each bottle). The other 20% of bottles exhibited only very minor migration, where the highest level in the first migration test was 1.83 μg/kg and most bottles did not release detectable BPA in the second and third test. Only one bottle, with a migration level of 1.08 μg/kg, in the first test still showed a detectable level in the last migration test (i.e. 0.42 μg/kg). It is important to note that the legal limit (European Commission Directive 2002/72/EC) was still 600 μg/kg for polycarbonate bottles at the time of purchase, preceding the precautionary ban taking effect from 1 June 2011 (Commission Directive 2011/8/EU; Commission Regulation No. 321/2011). This confirms that the likelihood of migration of BPA is very low and remains at very minute amounts. The results also suggest the absence of release from PES bottles based on the set of bottles investigated.     

Testing the influence of various conditions on the migration of epoxidised soybean oil from polyvinylchloride gaskets

Epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO) is widely used as a plasticiser and stabiliser mainly in food contact materials on the base of polyvinylchloride (PVC), especially in the gaskets of jar lids. PVC gaskets containing 10–37% of ESBO were prepared by the baking of PVC plastisols at various process temperatures (180–240°C) in the laboratory. ESBO migration into olive oil and 3% acetic acid was studied at various temperatures (4°C, 25°C, 40°C and 60°C) during a storage time up to 12 months. ESBO released into food simulants was transmethylated, derivatised and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The effect of food processing, i.e. pasteurisation (80°C and 100°C) and sterilisation (125°C) on ESBO migration was also evaluated. The results were critically assessed with respect to the test conditions of specific migration in accordance with the current European Union legislation (Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011). The levels of ESBO migration found confirmed that the test conditions (i.e. 40°C or 60°C, 10 days) representing contact in the worst foreseeable use scenario seem to be insufficient for the simulation of ESBO migration during long-term storage and thus do not provide satisfactory objective results.     

Solubility determination as an alternative to migration measurements

Solubility values for six UV stabilisers (Cyasorb UV-1164, Tinuvin P, Tinuvin 234, Tinuvin 326, Tinuvin 327 and Tinuvin 1577) and five antioxidants (Irgafos 168, Irganox 1010, Irganox 3114, Irganox 3790 and Irganox 565) were determined in all the liquid food simulants (3% (m/V) acetic acid–water mixture, 10% (V/V), 20% (V/V), 50% (V/V) ethanol–water mixture and vegetable oil) proposed in European Union Regulation No. 10/2011/EC, as well as in fruit juice and cola drink. The applied method was obtained by modification of the method for the determination of water solubility as described in OECD guideline Test No. 105. By using ultrasonication and shorter equilibration time, the time demand of the solubility determinations were decreased notably. Solubility values proved to be lower than the specific migration limits (as specified in 10/2011/EC) at 25°C for almost all target compounds in food simulants A, B, C and D1 as well as in fruit juice and cola drink. The exceptions were Tinuvin P and Irganox 3790 in simulant D1. The solubility in food simulant D2 was higher than 1000 µg ml^–1 for all target compounds. These results show that the solubility of some additives in food simulants can be so low that it makes migration studies for certain additive–food simulant pairs dispensable.     

Migration of copper from nanocopper/LDPE composite films

Three nanocopper/low-density polyethylene (LDPE) composite films were tested in food simulants (3% acetic acid and 10% ethanol) and real food matrices (rice vinegar, bottled water and Chinese liquor) to explore the behaviours of copper migration using ICP-OES and GFAAS. The effects of exposure time, temperature, nanocopper concentration and contact media on the release of copper from nanocopper/LDPE composite films were studied. It was shown that the migration of copper into 10% ethanol was much less than that into 3% acetic acid at the same conditions. With the increase of nanocopper concentration, exposure time and temperature, the release of copper increased. Copper migration does not appear to be significant in the case of bottled water and Chinese liquor compared with rice vinegar with a maximum value of 0.54 μg mL^?1 for the CF-0.25# bags at 70°C for 2 h. The presence and morphology of copper nanoparticles in the films and the topographical changes of the films were confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). In this manner, copper nanoparticles of different morphologies, sizes and distribution were found, and samples with higher nanocopper concentration had a more irregular topography. In the case of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), no chemical bonds formed between copper nanoparticles and LDPE. Copper nanoparticles were just as physically dispersed in LDPE.     

Comparison of migration from polyethersulphone and polycarbonate baby bottles

This work presents two analytical methods developed for measuring three components of polyethersulphone (PES) and applying them to the migration testing of 30 baby bottles made of PES. The study also provides migration results under the same conditions for bisphenol A (BPA) from 40 polycarbonate baby bottles using a well-established method adapted to low concentrations. For PES bottles, migration of diphenyl sulphone (DPS), 4,4′-dichlorodiphenyl sulphone (DCPS) and 4,4′-dihydroxydiphenyl sulphone (DHPS; also known as bisphenol S) was carried out using two different analytical methods with detection limits of 0.1–0.3?µg/kg, and, therefore, much below their respective European Commission Directive 2002/72/EC legislative migration limits of 50–3000?µg/kg, respectively. In parallel, 40 bottles made of polycarbonate were analysed for the migration of BPA using a method validated at EU level and modified to give a lower detection limit of 0.1?µg/kg. Migration tests were conducted into the simulant for milk 50% EtOH (as per Commission Regulation No. 321/2011 of 1 April 2011) according to the test conditions from the guidelines on test conditions for articles in contact with foodstuffs (with a focus on kitchenware) prepared by the EU Reference Laboratory and its network of National Reference Laboratories. None of the 30 bottles made of PES released any detectable amounts of DCPS or DHPS and only two bottles released a very low amount of DPS of ～1?µg/kg in the milk food simulant compared to a regulatory limit of 3000?µg/kg. For PC bottles, 32 bottles of 40 (80%) did not release BPA above the LOD of 0.1?µg/kg (in any of the three migration tests performed on each bottle). The other 20% of bottles exhibited only very minor migration, where the highest level in the first migration test was 1.83?µg/kg and most bottles did not release detectable BPA in the second and third test. Only one bottle, with a migration level of 1.08?µg/kg, in the first test still showed a detectable level in the last migration test (i.e. 0.42?µg/kg). It is important to note that the legal limit (European Commission Directive 2002/72/EC) was still 600?µg/kg for polycarbonate bottles at the time of purchase, preceding the precautionary ban taking effect from 1 June 2011 (Commission Directive 2011/8/EU; Commission Regulation No. 321/2011). This confirms that the likelihood of migration of BPA is very low and remains at very minute amounts. The results also suggest the absence of release from PES bottles based on the set of bottles investigated.     

Selenium species in leaves of chicory,dandelion, lamb’s lettuce and parsley

Lamb’s lettuce, dandelion, parsley and four cultivars of chicory were cultivated aeroponically for 41 days with nutrient solution containing 7  mg Se/L in the form of Na₂SeO₄. Se compounds were determined by high performance liquid chromatography–ultraviolet treatment–hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC–UV–HG-AFS) in the green parts of the selected plants. Se species were extracted by water and by enzymatic hydrolysis with Protease XIV. Separation of Se^IV, Se^VI, SeMet, SeMeSeCys and SeCys₂ was made by a combination of anion and cation exchange chromatography in which the columns were connected on-line to a UV–HG-AFS detection system. Se accumulated efficiently in plant leaves up to 480 μg/g dry mass, mostly as Se^VI, i.e. the form of Se in the nutrient solution. Beside inorganic Se, selenomethionine (6–21%), selenomethylselenocysteine (0.5–4.4%) and selenocistine (<DL-0.8%) were determined in the extracts after enzymatic hydrolysis. Some unidentified peaks were also observed in the chromatograms.     

Determination of ultratrace levels of selenium in fruit and vegetable samples grown and consumed in Portugal

The selenium content in fruit and vegetable samples from two regions in Portugal were analysed using hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) and radiochemical nuclear activation analysis (RNAA) – two analytical methods with very low limits of detection. The lower detection limits of HG-AFS, 3 μg kg⁻¹ and 8 μg kg⁻¹ (according to conditions used for digestion), and for RNAA, 10 μg kg⁻¹, meant that it was possible to determine selenium in samples previously analysed using the replicate sample instrumental nuclear activation analysis (RSINAA) with a higher detection limit associated.     

Migration of Ti from nano-TiO2-polyethylene composite packaging into food simulants

An analytical method based on ICP-MS was developed for the determination of Ti in food simulants (3% (w/v) aqueous acetic acid and 50% (v/v) aqueous ethanol). The method was used to determine the migration of Ti from nano-TiO₂-PE films used for food packaging into food simulants under different temperature and migration time conditions. The maximum migration amounts into 3% (w/v) aqueous acetic acid were 1.4 ± 0.02, 6.3 ± 0.5 and 12.1 ± 0.2 μg kg^?1 at 25, 70 and 100°C, respectively, while into 50% (v/v) aqueous ethanol, the maximum migration amounts were 0.5 ± 0.1, 0.6 ± 0.03 and 2.1 ± 0.1 μg kg^?1 at 25, 70 and 100°C, respectively. Increasing the additive content in the film promoted migration of nanoparticles. The results indicated that the migration of nanoparticles might occur via dissolution from the surface and cut edges of the solid phase (film) into the liquid phase (food simulant).     

PET瓶中UV-P和UV-234两种光稳定剂的迁移研究

建立了PET瓶中2种光稳定剂2-(2'-羟基-5'-甲基苯基)苯并三唑(UV-P)和2-(2-羟基-3',5'-二枯基苯基)-苯并三唑(UV-234)的高效液相色谱检测方法。两种光稳定剂在质量浓度为0.5μg/m L~20μg/m L的范围内线性良好,相关系数R0.99,加标浓度为2、4、10μg/m L的加标回收率为76.2%~111.7%,相对标准偏差为1.2%~11.7%,UV-P和UV-234的检出限分别为0.05μg/m L和0.07μg/m L,并用该方法对市售食品的PET瓶进行了检测。最后根据欧盟法规使用50%(v/v)和95%(v/v)的乙醇以及异辛烷作为食品模拟物对PET样品瓶中2种光稳定剂的迁移进行了研究。     

筷子涂层中重金属元素的暴露研究

目的研究筷子涂层中12种重金属元素(锌、铜、镍、镉、铅、汞、铬、钼、硒、砷、钡、锑)在体液模拟物和食品模拟物中的暴露。方法以胃液模拟物、唾液模拟物作为体液模拟物,以4%乙酸(V/V)、水、95%乙醇(V/V)作为食品模拟物,利用电感耦合等离子体质谱(inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry,ICP-MS)法测定筷子涂层中12种重金属元素的溶出量和迁移量。结果对20批次筷子涂层中12种重金属元素的含量进行测试发现10种重金属元素(锌、铜、镍、镉、铅、铬、钼、硒、砷、钡)有检出,其中铅元素含量高达347660.8mg/kg。对检出的重金属元素进一步分析其在体液模拟物中的溶出量和食品模拟物中的迁移量,发现高含量的元素能通过体液模拟物溶出和食品模拟物迁移。结论筷子涂层中重金属元素可能通过3种途径暴露至人体,分别是胃液溶出、唾液溶出、食品中迁移,且涂层涂覆的位置可对重金属元素的暴露途径产生影响;胃液模拟物中溶出量是唾液模拟物中溶出量的10倍以上;4%乙酸(V/V)食品模拟物中的迁移量最多可高于水和95%乙醇(V/V)食品模拟物中的迁移量近1000倍,且随着迁移次数的增加迁移量逐渐降低。     

Properties of polyethylene films with incorporated benzoic anhydride and/or ethyl and propyl esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and their suitability for food packaging

Benzoic anhydride and ethyl and propyl esters of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (ETP and PRP, respectively, also termed parabens) incorporated into low density polyethylene (LDPE) film were studied with regard to migration into food and food simulants at 6°C and 25°C, and changes in selected properties of the film were investigated. Antimicrobials were incorporated into polymer film in concentrations of 5g/kg and 10g/kg. The addition of parabens into the polymer was more difficult than benzoic anhydride due to their volatility. For benzoic anhydride, 30-40% and 10-20% of the added amount was found to leach from the film into aqueous and olive oil food simulants, respectively. The migration into both water and olive oil followed a very similar course in the case of parabens. Migration levels over 90% and in the range of 70% to 80%, relative to the amount of agent in the film, were determined for ETP and PRP respectively. The incorporation of antimicrobials into the film significantly changed the functional characteristics of the packaging material, i.e. permeability of oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapour, tensile strength, coefficient of friction, sealing strength and transparency. Shelf life tests with packaged cheese and toasted bread demonstrated the efficiency of the film containing 10g/kg of BA against mould growth on the food surface during storage at 6°C.