Styrene Monomer Levels in Polystyrene-Packed Dairy Products from the Market versus Simulated Migration Testing.

In view of the fact that a specific migration limit (SML) is to be established in the near future for styrene monomer in plastic food contact materials (FCMs), data on the dietary exposure of the European population, as well as sensitive and reliable analytical methodologies to implement compliance testing, are needed. The properties of the substance styrene as well as those of styrenic polymers pose challenges for analysts and their design of experimental migration tests. The aim of this study was to assess the level of styrene in polystyrene (PS)-packed dairy products from supermarkets and compare these values with the results from simulated migration testing.

Migration of Styrene in Yogurt and Dairy Products Packaged in Polystyrene: Results from Market Samples.

The European Food Safety Authority is re-evaluating styrene for assessing the safety of food contact materials (FCM) such as polystyrene (PS) and started a systematic review of the data on migration levels in food. A restriction for styrene is expected in the near future. The main food contact application of PS is dairy packaging, mainly at refrigerated storage.

Migration Testing of GPPS and HIPS Polymers: Swelling Effect Caused by Food Simulants Compared to Real Foods.

Migration kinetic data from general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) were generated for a set of model substances as well as styrene monomer and oligomers at different temperatures (20 °C, 40 °C, 60 °C) using food simulants stipulated in the European Regulation (EU) 10/2011 and real foods like milk, cream and olive oil (20 °C, 40 °C). The extent of polymer swelling was characterized gravimetrically and visual changes of the test specimens after migration contact were recorded. Isooctane and 95% ethanol caused strong swelling and visual changes of HIPS, overestimating real migration into foods especially at high temperatures; GPPS was affected by isooctane only at 60 °C.