Migration of toxic elements from recycled paper food contact materials to food simulants: compatibility and influence of sample preparation methods

The presence of toxic elements in paper and board food contact materials (FCMs) has been previously shown by various studies employing different sample preparation methods. This study elucidates the influence of migration methods on the migration of toxic elements from recycled paper FCMs to food simulants and compares these methods with exhaustive extraction approaches. Migration samples were prepared with four food simulants as specified in the Commission Regulation (EU) 10/2011: 3% (volume fraction) acetic acid, 10% (volume fraction) and 50% (volume fraction) ethanol, and Tenax. The extraction process underestimated the number and quantity of elements. Migration methodologies revealed distinct element transfer patterns influenced by the physicochemical properties of the food simulants. Toxic elements, including aluminum, cobalt, nickel, arsenic, lead, cadmium, barium, and uranium, were detected in quantities exceeding safety reference values. These findings underscore the need for harmonized migration testing and regulatory-specific migration limits.