Mathematical modelling of interactions between product and packaging

To check the compliance of a plastic food contact material with the existing EU regulations, migration tests shall be carried out using the food simulants and the test conditions specified in the corresponding Directives. In addition to such experimental methods it might be possible to use theoretical migration estimations as a further tool to reduce the number of and expense for the experimental tests. A model for estimating the migration of substances from plastic materials into food has been developed. Possibilities and limitations of the model are discussed in connection with the special application in the dairy industry. The handling of the model is exemplified with a practical migration scenario.