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Packaging Materials Task Force

Food Chain

Background and objectives

Taking into account that the safety and quality of packaging in contact with food is a worldwide requirement, the task force endeavours to advance the underlying science by identifying issues of common interest to its members and to contribute to the overall scientific debate.
 
Therefore, the task force maintains close links scientists from regulatory agencies. This will ensure that the outcomes of different projects contribute to improvements in risk assessment procedures on substances migrating from food contact materials and risk management concepts in the EC legislation applicable to such materials.
 

Impact

The report series on packaging materials is widely used in the academic sector for teaching students and in the industry sector as a valuable source of information providing a concise overview of the different packaging materials.
 
The International Symposia on Food Packaging, which take place every four years, provide a unique platform to discuss the science of the safety and quality of food packaging with experts from government, academia and industry to discuss the science underpinning the safety and quality of food packaging.
 

Activities 

Expert Group on Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS) in Food Packaging

In December 2010, the task force organised a brainstorming meeting to review and discuss the current situation with experts from academia, national authorities and the European Commission (EC). Presentations were given on the scientific perspective, risk assessment of NIAS, EC regulatory perspective and the perspective of an enforcement laboratory. More information on this brainstorming meeting, please click here.

An expert group was set up in the second half of 2011 to follow-up on the discussions of the brainstorming meeting. The planned output of the expert group will be a guidance document on the risk assessment of NIAS in food contact materials. The document will include a glossary to shed light on the controversy of the terminology/definitions of NIAS, investigate the importance of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and explore tools for the risk assessment of NIAS. The project will be carried out in close cooperation with other relevant stakeholders.

A workshop may be organised in 2013 to discuss the guidance document with a broader audience.

Expert Group on Outlook of Nanotechnology for Food Packaging

Most nanotechnology applications for the food sector are expected to happen in food packaging. Furthermore, considering that the basic principles of risk assessment should also be applicable to nanomaterials, the task force started a project addressing the potential risks resulting from nanotechnology applications for food contact materials.

As a first step will be to look at nanomaterials and the packaging matrix separately before combining them in a second step in applications. Furthermore, the expert group will collect information on other aspects important for a risk assessment, such as characterisation, quantification and migration behaviour. Environmental and regulatory issues will be considered as well.
 
A workshop (see below) was organised on 8-10 February 2012 in Brussels to discuss and review the draft manuscript with a wider audience.

The output of this activity will be a review article compiling available information on various aspects related to nanotechnology applications in food contact materials.

Workshop on the Outlook and Challenges of Nanotechnology for Food Packaging

The work of the expert group was presented to a broader audience at a workshop, which took place on 8-10 February 2012 in Brussels, Belgium.


The invited experts came from industry, academia and regulators. Topics presented and discussed during the workshop included applications of nanotechnologies in food packaging, potential migration of nanomaterials, detection methods, life cycle considerations and risk assessment along with regulatory issues. The conclusions were that there are many applications where the use of nanotechnology will enhance desired packaging material properties. These improvements are considered to have a significant importance in terms of reduction of environmental impact of packaging materials. The safe use of nanomaterials is a prerequisite, and the consumer exposure to nanomaterials in food packaging is considered likely to be very low. However, lack of detailed guidelines for industry, as well as regulatory uncertainties were pointed out as obstacles to the introduction of nanomaterials in food packaging. The expert group will consider the comments provided by the attendees during their revision of the manuscript. Once finalized, the manuscript will be submitted for publication in a scientific journal.

 
Report Series on Packaging Materials
 
The task force regularly generates informative and comprehensive scientific documents that cover essential aspects of packaging materials. The series on packaging materials compiles characteristics and the uses of the different packaging materials, their basic chemistry, safety and toxicology, regulations, and environmental fate. Reports already published address: 
  • Polyethylene terephthalate,
  • Polystyrene,
  • Polypropylene,
  • Polyethylene,
  • Polyvinyl chloride,
  • Paper and board, and
  • Metal packaging for foodstuffs and
  • Multilayer packagings.
The latest report published in this series deals with Printing Inks for Food Contact Materials. Additionally, the task force is completing the update of the report on polystyrene that was initially published in 2002 and will finalise the update of the report on polyethylene terephthalate that was published in 2000.
Multilayer Packagings
 
In recent years, the use of packaging materials composed of more than one plastic layer has steadily increased. The advantage of combining two or more plastics or even with other materials is that additional functional performance to pack food safely can be added, shelf-life time extended or even the weight of the final packaging reduced. Beside the usual elements of these reports, the author will explain why multilayers are needed. This report was published in summer 2011.
 
Printing Inks for Food Packaging: Composition and properties of printing inks
 
Printed food packaging is used to provide information to the final consumer and plays an important role in the presentation and advertising of foodstuffs. Some of this information is legally required, such as weight, vendor details, information about composition, presence of allergens and nutritional details, etc. In addition, printing is carried out for decorative and protective purposes. The report ‘Printing Inks for Food Packaging: Composition and Properties of Printing Inks’ mainly deals with printing inks applied on the non-food contact surface of food packaging (packaging inks) as outlined in the information leaflet of the European Printing Ink Association. This report was published in December 2011.
 
Polystyrene - Update
 
The updated version of the report will have major changes in the chapters on regulatory issues and on toxicological aspects. Minor updates will be made in the other chapters as required.
 
Polyethylene terephthalate - Update
 
This report was originally published in 2000. Due to scientific and regulatory developments, it will be updated. The first step in this update was carried out by by ILSI North America while the finalisation will be done by ILSI Europe.
 
5th International Symposium on Food Packaging - Scientific Developments supporting Safety and Innovation
 
The 5th International Symposium on Food Packaging will take place on 14 – 16 November 2012 in Berlin, Germany. The symposium will emphasise innovations in the area of food packaging. This three-day conference will be structured around four key concept areas:
  • Session 1: Nanotechnology and emerging technologies;
  • Session 2: Sustainable food contact materials;
  • Session 3: Risk assessment of complex mixtures and
  • Session 4: Effects of food processing and packaging treatments. 
The organisers will invite 1 or 2 keynote speakers per session, while the other time slots will be filled based on the submitted abstracts for oral presentation that are currently being reviewed by the Scientific Committee. As in previous symposia, poster sessions will be organised with an anticipated number of 100 or more posters. The call for poster abstracts will open 5 April 2012.
 
The registration to the Symposium will open on 5 April 2012.
 
The proceedings of the symposium will be published in Food Additives and Contaminants.
 
More information on the symposium can be found here.
 

Task Force Collaborators

Members - 2012
 
Dr. Leonor Garcia - Chair -
Coca-Cola Europe
BE
Dr. Stéphane Papilloud - Co-chair-
Nestlé
CH
​ ​ ​
Dr. Maurizio Bonuomo
Barilla G&R F.lli
IT
Dr. Emma Bradley
Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA)
UK
Dr. Françoise Godts
DuPont de Nemours
BE
Dr. Thomas Gude
Swiss Quality Testing Services (SQTS)
CH
Dr. Monika Huber
Kraft Foods Europe
DE
Ms. Annick Moreau
Danone
FR
Dr. Gabriele Pieper
Tetra Pak Research
DE
Dr. Monique Rennen
TNO
NL
Dr. Annette Schäfer*
European Commission – DG Health and Consumers
BE
Dr. Stamatios Stamenitis
Mars
DE
Mr. Peter van Herwijnen
Dow Europe
CH
​ ​ ​
Mr. Massimo Ambrosio
ILSI Europe
BE
Dr. Stéphane Vidry
ILSI Europe
BE
Ms. Belinda Antonio
ILSI Europe
BE
*Observer
 

Expert Group on Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS) in Food Packaging
 
Dr. Sander Koster - Chair -
TNO Quality of Life
NL
Dr. Leonor Garcia - Co-chair -
Coca-Cola Europe
BE
​ ​ ​
Prof. Marie-Christine Chagnon
Université de Bourgogne
FR
Dr. Françoise Godts
DuPont de Nemours
BE
Dr. Thomas Gude
Swiss Quality Testing Services (SQTS)
CH
Prof. Perfecto Paseiro-Losada
University of Santiago de Compostela
ES
Dr. Gabriele Pieper
Tetra Pak Research
DE
Dr. Monique Rennen
TNO Quality of life
NL
Dr. Annette Schäfer*
European Commission – DG Health and Consumers
BE
​Prof. Thomas Simat ​Technical University of Dresden ​DE
​ ​ ​
Mr. Massimo Ambrosio
ILSI Europe
BE
Dr. Stéphane Vidry
ILSI Europe
BE
* Observer 

Expert Group on Outlook of Nanotechnology for Food Packaging
 
Dr. Leonor Garcia - Chair -
Coca-Cola Europe
BE
​ ​ ​
Dr. Michael Adams
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
US
Dr. Maurizio Avella
Istituto di Chimica e Tecnologia dei Polimeri
IT
Dr. Qasim Chaudhry
The Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA)
UK
Dr. Canan Dogan
TUBITAK MRC Food Institute
TR
Dr. Gabriele Pieper
Tetra Pak Research
DE
Dr. Monique Rennen
TNO
NL
Dr. Annette Schäfer*
European Commission – DG Health and Consumers
BE
Prof. Jochen Weiss
University of Hohenheim
DE
Dr. Yves Wyser
Nestlé
CH
​ ​ ​
Mr. Massimo Ambrosio
ILSI Europe
BE
Dr. Stéphane Vidry
ILSI Europe
BE
*Observer
 

Organising Committee - Workshop on the Outlook and Limitations of Nanotechnology for Food Packaging
 
Dr. Leonor Garcia - Chair -
Coca-Cola Europe
BE
​ ​ ​
Dr. Maurizio Avella
Istituto di Chimica e Tecnologia dei Polimeri
IT
Dr. Qasim Chaudhry
Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA)
UK
Dr. Yves Wyser
Nestlé
CH
​ ​ ​
Mr. Massimo Ambrosio
ILSI Europe
BE
Dr. Stéphane Vidry
ILSI Europe
BE
 

Organising Committee 5th International Symposium on Food Packaging
 
Dr. Stéphane Papilloud - Chair -
Nestlé
CH
​ ​ ​
Dr. Maurizio Avella
Istituto di Chimica e Tecnologia dei Polimeri
IT
Dr. Emma Bradley
Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA)
UK
Mr. Bart Brands
CH
Dr. Leonor Garcia
Coca-Cola Europe
BE
Ms. Annick Moreau
Danone
FR
Dr. Monique Rennen
TNO Quality of Life
NL
Dr. Annette Schaefer*
European Commission – DG Health and Consumers
BE
Mr. Peter van Herwijnen
Dow Europe
DE
​ ​ ​
Mr. Massimo Ambrosio
ILSI Europe
BE
Dr. Stéphane Vidry
ILSI Europe
BE
*Observer
 
Scientific Committee 5th International Symposium on Food Packaging
 
Prof. Alejandro Ariosti
National Institute of Industrial Technology
AR
Prof. Luc Avérous
University of Strasbourg
FR
Dr. Timothy Begley
Food and Drug Administration
US
Prof. Alan Boobis
Imperial College London
UK
Prof. Marie-Christine Chagnon
University of Burgundy
FR
Dr. Qasim Chaudhry
Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA)
UK
Dr. Roland Franz
Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV)
DE
Prof. Cristina Nerín
University of Zaragoza
ES
Prof. Fabrice Nesslany
Pasteur Institute of Lille (IPL)
FR
Prof. Constantine Papaspyrides
National Technical University of Athens
GR
Dr. Rinus Rijk
AdFoPAck
NL
Dr. Anne-Marie Riquet
National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA)
FR
Prof. Thomas Simat
Technical University of Dresden
DE
Dr. Catherine Simoneau
European Commission – Joint Research Centre
IT
Dr. Maria Smolander
VTT Biotechnology
FI
Dr. Karli Verghese
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University
AU
 
 
 
Mr. Massimo Ambrosio
ILSI Europe
BE
Dr. Stéphane Vidry
ILSI Europe
BE
 
 

Publications

J. Dixon. Packaging Materials 9. Multilayer Packaging for Food and Beverages. ILSI Europe Report Series 2011: 1- 44.
 
J. Sutter, V. Dudler and R. Meuwly. Packaging Materials 8. Printing Inks for Food Packaging Composition and Properties of Printing Inks. ILSI Europe Report Series 2011:1-32.
 
A. Theobald, Guest Editor. Food Packaging: Scientific Developments Supporting Safety and Quality. Food Additives and Contaminants 2009;26(12):1525-1648. (Proceedings)
 
B. Brands, L. Castle et al. Guidance for Exposure Assessment of Substances Migrating from Food Packaging Materials. 2007. Expert Group Report reviewed at a workshop held in March 2007. *
 
P. Oldring and U. Nehring. Packaging Materials 7. Metal Packaging for Foodstuffs. ILSI Europe Report Series 2007:1-40.
 
J. Gilbert, A. Theobald eds. Food Packaging: Ensuring the Safety, Quality and Traceability of Foods. Food Additives and Contaminants 2005;22(10):899-1071. (Proceedings)
 
D. Ottenio, J-Y Escabasse and B. Podd. Packaging Materials 6. Paper and Board for Food Packaging Applications. ILSI Europe Report Series 2004:1-24.
 
J. Leadbitter. Packaging Materials 5. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) for Food Packaging Applications. ILSI Europe Report Series 2003:1-20.
 
P. Tice. Packaging Materials 4. Polyethylene for Food Packaging Applications. ILSI Europe Report Series 2003:1- 23.
 
 
P. Tice. Packaging Materials 2. Polystyrene for Food Packaging Applications. ILSI Europe Report Series 2002:1-20.
 
J. Gilbert and A. López de Sá, Editors.Food Packaging: Ensuring the Safety and Quality of Foods. Food Additives and Contaminants 2002;19:1-228. (Proceedings)
 
K. Svensson. Exposure from Food Contact Materials. ILSI Europe Report Series 2002:1-22.
 
 
L. Castle, N de Kruijf, R. Franz et al. Recycling of Plastics for Food Contact Use. ILSI Europe Report Series 1998:1-20.
 
J. Gilbert Editor. Food Packaging: Ensuring the Safety and Quality of Foods. Food Additives and Contaminants 1997;14(6-7):517-789. (Proceedings)
 
J. Gilbert and R. Franz. Food Consumption and Packaging Usage Factors. ILSI Europe Report Series 1997:1-12.
 
*As this document is not compatible with the ILSI Europe Concise Monograph and Report Series, it was decided to place it on the ILSI Europe website for the information of those interested in this topic. It has not been independently reviewed.
 
For more information, please contact info@ilsieurope.be.
 

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Packaging Materials Task Force