This review addresses coatings, inks, food packaging, and how their interactions can affect the quality and safety of packaged goods. Metal, paper, and plastic packaging systems are all investigated; interestingly, so, too, is the entire supply chain, including harvesting, processing, transportation, and cooking. The discussion encompasses regulatory issues, test methods commonly in use, published migration data, and areas in the field which are receiving the most R&D attention. The overview is followed by 219 relevant abstracts from Rapra's Polymer Library database.

From the Introduction: “...Coatings and inks for use with food have been a very topical subject over the last couple of years, mainly due to the culmination of the work that has been carried out by the Council of Europe (CoE)...This report has attempted to cover all of the coatings and inks products used in food contact scenarios. Hence, direct and non-direct contact situations are included throughout the food chain...”

Rapra Review Reports contain a brief overview of the topic, followed by extensive references, with abstracts, from the Rapra database. They serve as condensed, valuable research tools for scientists, technologists, and other researchers working with rubber or plastics materials.

Target Audience: Any reader in industry or academia who is concerned with coatings and inks for food contact materials.

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Coating and Ink Products for Food Contact Materials

Coatings and Inks Used in the Food Chain

Application Techniques for Inks

Regulations Covering the Use of Inks and Coatings with Food

Assessing the Safety of Inks and Coatings for Food Applications

Potential Migrants and Published Migrant Data

Improving the Safety of Inks and Coatings for Food Use

Future Trends

Conclusion

Additional References

Abbreviations

References from the Polymer Library Database

Index