IAS in Food Contact Materials

definition

Food Contact Materials (FCM) include a wide variety of materials such as plastic, paper, ceramic, metal and ink used in packaging, containers and other articles that come into contact with food. Migration is the transfer of substances from FCM into the food.

FCM can contain Intentionally Added Substances (IAS) such as polymer additives (e.g. antioxidants, UV absorbers), additives from adhesives, varnishes, printing inks, residual monomers and catalysts. These chemicals are intentionally used along the production process and are essential in the manufacturing or use of the food contact materials and articles. They enhance, for example, the manufacturing, food contact material and foodstuff stability and/or mechanical properties. They also can increase the shelf-life of the packaged food.