Study of the migration of photoinitiators used in printed food-packaging materials into food simulants.

Photoinitiators (PIs) are used as catalyzers for inks and lacquers that are cured with ultraviolet (UV) light, and they can contaminate foodstuffs by mass transference.The aim of the present paper is to study the migration of six photoinitiators (Irgacure 184, benzophenone, Irgacure 651, Irgacure 907, ITX, and EHA) into food simulants [distilled water, 3% acetic acid (w/v) in aqueous solution, 10, 20, 30, 60 and 95% ethanol (v/v) in aqueous solution]. Migration levels of the six PIs into different food simulants were compared after a 30 day contact period with the additivated plastic.