Food Packaging Material Testing: Importance and Standards

                      Food Packaging Material Testing: Importance and Standards    

Food packaging is crucial not only for protecting food but also for ensuring its safety, quality, and shelf life. The performance of packaging materials under different conditions is tested using environmental test chambers. These chambers simulate temperature, humidity, light, and other conditions to assess the durability and performance of the packaging materials.

Types of Food Packaging Material Tests

1. Temperature & Humidity Testing

   - Purpose : Simulate real-world conditions to ensure packaging material's resistance to heat, cold, and moisture.

   - Test Chambers Used: Climatic test chambers, thermal shock chambers, and humidity chambers.

   - Standards:  

     - ISO 18787 – Measuring water activity in food packaging.

     - ISO 22000 – Food safety management systems (also includes packaging).

2. Oxygen and Moisture Barrier Testing

    - Purpose: Evaluate how packaging prevents oxygen or moisture from reaching food products, which could cause spoilage.

   - Test Chambers Used: Gas permeability testers and humidity chambers.

   - Standards:  

     - ASTM D3985 – Oxygen permeability of flexible packaging.

     - ISO 15105 – Measurement of gas permeability

3. Corrosion and Salt Spray Testing  

 - Purpose: For metal or composite packaging, salt spray tests simulate the effects of corrosive environments.

  - Test Chambers Used: Salt spray chambers.

   - Standards:  

     - ISO 9227 – Salt spray testing for packaging materials.

4. Mechanical Properties and Durability Testing

   - Purpose: Test the strength, tear resistance, and flexibility of packaging materials to ensure they can withstand handling, transportation, and storage.

   - Test Chambers Used: Vibration chambers and tensile test chambers.

   -  Standards:  

     - ASTM D1922 – Testing the tear resistance of paper and plastic films.

     - ISO 527 – Tensile testing of plastic materials.

5. Light Exposure and UV Stability Testing

   - Purpose: Determine how packaging materials react to UV light and exposure to sunlight.

   - Test Chambers Used: UV chambers, weathering chambers.

   - Standards:  

     -ASTM G155 – Standard practice for operating fluorescent light apparatus for UV exposure testing.

6. Accelerated Aging Tests

   - Purpose : Evaluate the long-term stability and performance of packaging materials by simulating aging through temperature and humidity cycles.

   - Test Chambers Used : Accelerated aging chambers, environmental simulation chambers.

   -  Standards :  

     -  ISO 188 – Rubber, accelerated aging.

     - ASTM D1148 – Accelerated aging for food packaging.

How Test Chambers Help Meet Standards and Ensure Compliance

- Precision Testing: Test chambers provide precise environmental conditions to simulate various stages of storage and transportation, such as high humidity, extreme temperatures, or UV exposure.  

- Compliance with Global Standards : Test chambers ensure that packaging materials meet global food safety and packaging standards such as ISO 22000, HACCP, ASTM, and FDA regulations.  

- Durability Assessment: By simulating real-life conditions, manufacturers can ensure that packaging materials can withstand extreme conditions like temperature fluctuations, humidity, and physical stress during handling.  

 - Innovation and R&D: These tests help food packaging manufacturers develop new materials that are more sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient in protecting food products.

Standards for Food Packaging Materials

- ISO 22000: Food safety management systems, which also cover packaging material standards.  

- ASTM D3985: Measures oxygen permeability of food packaging materials.  

- ISO 15105: Measures gas permeability of packaging materials.  

- ISO 13485: Packaging for medical devices, relevant for food packaging when safety is a concern.  

- FDA Regulations : Packaging materials must meet specific FDA standards for food contact materials in the U.S.  

How SESS Supports Food Packaging Testing

1. Comprehensive Environmental Simulation: SESS chambers replicate real-world conditions like temperature changes, humidity, and mechanical stress, helping manufacturers ensure packaging reliability.

2. Custom Solutions for Packaging Materials: SESS offers tailored solutions for testing specific materials, such as plastic films, cans, glass containers, and other packaging types.

3. Regulatory Compliance: Our test chambers are designed to meet international standards, including ISO, ASTM, and FDA regulations, ensuring that packaging materials pass necessary tests and can be marketed globally.

4. Innovative Testing: With features like cloud connectivity, real-time data monitoring, and advanced control systems, SESS chambers offer efficient and precise testing to improve packaging design and performance.




Location: NO 2/298, BARANIPUTHURE, 600056, Perumal Koil St, Srinivasapuram, Iyyappanthangal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600056, India

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