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Course dates - click register to select dates
- 10 Nov - 08 Dec 25
- 08 Dec - 05 Jan 26
- 12 Jan - 09 Feb 26
- 11 May - 08 Jun 26
- 31 Aug - 28 Sep 26
- 09 Nov - 07 Dec 26
- We also run this course as an in-person event
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Course details and format
- 4.8 hours of recorded modules available
- 28 days to access course materials
- Optional live Q&A after course completion
- Electronic course notes
Course overview
This course will help you build a clear understanding of how polymeric and polymer-based materials - such as plastics, rubbers, coatings and inks - are used across food contact products, from packaging and processing equipment to cooking utensils. You’ll learn which additives, monomers and other constituents must be considered for potential migration into food, and why this matters for both safety and compliance.We’ll take you through the key global regulations (Europe, USA and beyond), explore how they apply to different product classes, and highlight the regulatory changes on the horizon so you’re prepared for what’s coming.
Migration testing is central to demonstrating compliance. Through practical explanation of the tests, methodologies, instrumentation and sample preparation, you’ll understand not only how testing works, but what it delivers. Additional assessments- such as organoleptic and heavy metal tests - will also be covered.
Finally, you’ll explore how innovation is reshaping food contact materials, from active and intelligent packaging for food safety to the growing use of recycled materials and design for recyclability. The course concludes with a look at future trends, helping you position your business to adapt and thrive in this evolving sector.
Learning outcomes
- An appreciation of the roles and functions that polymeric materials play in food contact materials.
- Understanding of the Regulations and guidelines required for your products
- An understanding of the role that migration testing plays in regulatory approval
- Ability to make informed decisions when developing new products
- Ability to make the best use of the information obtained from test results
Course content
Short Introduction to Polymer Science and the factors that affect migration into food- Overview of polymer materials
- Origin of migrants from polymer products
- Mechanisms that influence the migratory behaviour of polymers
- EU Regulations
- Council of Europe
- FDA Regulations
- Food Contact legislation in the BRIC countries
- National Regulations in Europe and other countries e.g. China, Brazil, India, Canada
- Overview of polymers and polymeric products. Materials covered:
- Plastics, Rubbers and Thermosets
- Silicone materials - rubbers, resins, fluids and pastes
- Inks and coatings
- Adhesives
- Paper and board
- Recycled materials e.g. plastics, paper and board
- Laminate materials
- The principal classes of food contact products will be targeted:
- Plastics
- Rubbers
- Inks
- Coatings
- Silicone based products
- Plastics
- Paper and Board
- Status of other materials, e.g. rubber
- Overall migration tests
- Specific migration tests
- Analytical approaches and techniques
- Techniques used for the fingerprinting of potential migrants
- Determination of specific species in food stimulants and food products
- Analysis of food products
- Quality control of testing regimes
- Computer modelling of migration
- Active packaging
- Intelligent packaging
- Nanotechnology
- Barrier coatings
- Developments in additives, including:
- Antibacterial additives
- Non-or low migratory additives
- Additives that give non-toxic breakdown/reaction products
Who will benefit?
- Packaging Product Designers
- Product Development Technologists
- Food Scientists and Technologists
- Technical Service Managers
- Food Processing Engineers
- Purchasing and procurement personnel
- However, products based on polymeric materials (plastics, rubbers, resins etc) are used in all areas of the food industry and people in various sectors (manufacture, packaging, retailing and catering etc.) need to have an understanding of the roles and functions that they have, the regulations that apply and the testing that needs to be conducted to ensure regulatory compliance.
Presenter information
- Mohammed Alkattan (PhD)
What our delegates say about the course material
"Very good, knowledgeable staff, good content"Simon Pears (FFP Packaging Solutions)
"The skill set of the providers is clearly world class and it has been a privilege to listen to them"
Rikki Speakman (Diageo Global Supply)
Gain CPD credits
Smithers is an IOM3 Quality Assured training provider and our courses are approved towards professional development.
Questions and queries
Please contact:Introduction to Food Contact Materials - Products, Regulations and Testing ONLINE
Date
Length
29 days