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What Is Migration Testing and Why Does It Matter for Food Contact Materials?

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When we think of food safety, we often imagine preventing mold or bacterial growth. However, there is an invisible frontier in food safety: the chemical interaction between a product and its container. Migration testing in food packaging is the scientific study of the transfer of chemical substances—such as monomers, plasticizers, and heavy metals—from packaging materials into the food or drink they hold (Intertek, 2024). Food Contact Materials (AI Generated Image) While visible spoilage is easy to spot, chemical leaching is undetectable to the consumer but poses significant long-term health risks. Section 1: Types of Migration: Overall vs. Specific Migration isn't a single measurement; it is categorized by what is being tracked and the level of risk involved. Overall Migration (OM): This measures the total amount of non-volatile substances that move from the package to the food. It is an indicator of the inert...
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A Technical Exchange with a leading Food Contact Material Testing Center in Europe

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Recently, our team visited a valuable European laboratory specializing in food contact material testing (overall migration testing). The visit created a valuable opportunity for in-depth discussions on laboratory workflows, the evolving role of automation inconstant weight determination, and the shared potential for future collaboration built on complementary strengths. Specialized testing laboratories bring deep expertise in regulatory interpretation, method validation, and technical reporting, supported by active participation in industry discussions and standardization activities. Instrument manufacturers, meanwhile, contribute through automation engineering, workflow integration, and data-driven system optimization. Progress in food contact materials (FCMs) & overall migration testing often emerges at the intersection of these strengths. Open technical dialogue helps align laboratory experience with engineering innovation, supporting more structured, efficient, and competitive ...
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Loss on Drying (LOD) Test: Method, Pharmacopoeia Standards and Automated LOD Systems

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What Is Loss on Drying (LOD)? Loss on Drying (LOD) is a gravimetric analytical method used to determine moisture content and volatile substances in pharmaceutical substances, excipients, finished dosage forms, food materials, and chemical products. The loss on drying method measures the weight reduction of a sample after drying under specified temperature conditions, typically 105°C unless otherwise defined in a monograph. The standard LOD test procedure involves: Accurately weighing the sample Drying at a prescribed temperature Cooling under controlled conditions Reweighing until constant mass Calculating percentage weight loss Because water and volatile matter directly affect product stability, potency, and shelf life, the loss on drying test remains a mandatory quality control parameter in regulated industries.   Loss on Drying in Pharmacopoeias The loss on drying test is formally defined in major international pharmacopoeias: United States Pharma...
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Automation in Practice: A Finnish Packaging R&D Laboratory Experience

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  In February 2026, our team visited a leading packaging manufacturer’s R&D laboratory in Finland to review their experience with the Labthink C840H Integrated Residue on Evaporation Testing System . Below is a summary of the discussion presented in Q&A format. Q1: How was the workflow before installing the Labthink C840H Integrated Residue on Evaporation Testing System? Laboratory Response: Before the installation of the C840H system, overall migration testing required continuous manual monitoring. Technicians needed to: Weigh cups every 30 minutes Closely monitor evaporation progress Remain present throughout the entire drying cycle The process required significant time and manpower. Achieving constant weight was repetitive and labor-intensive. Q2: What changes have you observed after implementing the system? Laboratory Response: The workflow has become more structured and efficient. Currently, approximately two testing rounds are conducted e...
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