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RAPRA EXPLOITS EXPERTISE IN FOOD CONTACT MATERIALS
04 September 2006 - Rapra Technology Limited
| Rapra Technology is renowned for its expertise in testing and analysing plastics for safety in contact with food. Expert analytical staff such as John Sidwell, Keith Scott and Dr Martin Forrest, have over 15 years of experience in this field. |
Rapra Technology is renowned for its expertise in testing and analysing plastics for safety in contact with food. Expert analytical staff such as John Sidwell, Keith Scott and Dr Martin Forrest, have over 15 years of experience in this field. Legislation has been passed in many different countries to ensure the safety of food packaging and processing materials by agencies such as the FSA (UK), FDA (US) and BfR (Germany). Materials have to pass stringent tests: most commonly a strip of test plastic is placed in contact with an appropriate food simulant at a specified time and temperature. The simulant is then analysed to see if chemicals have migrated from the plastic. The plastic itself can be tested for integrity after being immersed. Cracked and damaged packaging will result if the material selected is not resistant to the food chemistry, this also applies in pharmaceutical and medical applications. Additives can migrate from the food into the plastic or vice versa, affecting integrity, quality, taste and shelf life of the contents. Fatty food such as dairy and vegetable oils will react differently to packaging materials compared to carbonated fizzy drinks, whisky and fresh produce. Rapra continues to be at the forefront of development of analytical methods for examination of potential extractables from all types of food-contact materials. This expertise is used for clients in compliance testing of products, for research and also in the submission of data to regulatory authorities such as the European Food Safety Authority and the US Food and Drug Administration. Methods based on gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and/or liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry are widely employed. There are many different physical requirements for food packaging. Barrier films need to be tested for appropriate properties, in some instances full gas exchange is required, in others the food is packaged in a protective atmosphere and there needs to be an impervious seal. Can linings have to withstand very high temperatures during filling and last for years. Meat netting may reach temperatures of 200 C when a joint is roasted. Over the past decade, Rapra has run several large research programmes on behalf of the Food Standards Agency in the UK. Dr Martin Forrest has played a major role in the last two projects, which entailed surveying the food processing industry on the use of rubbers in contact with food and then assessing the safety of materials being used. The results have now been published and a summary can be found in the new book by Dr Forrest, Food Contact Rubbers 2, Products, Migration and Regulation, to be published by Smithers Rapra Limited. The safety of packaging materials is discussed in another new book from Rapra due out in June: Assessing Food Safety of Polymer Packaging by Jean-Maurice Vergnaud and Iosif-Daniel Rosca. In 2007, Rapra is going to exploit its expert knowledge base by organising a conference in Brussels 21-22 February on Food Contact Polymers. This will look at food-approved grades of materials, legislation and testing. All offers of papers should be submitted by 22nd September 2006.
http://www.rapra.net
About: Rapra Technology Limited
Rapra Technology is Europe’s leading independent plastics and rubber consultancy. Rapra provides comprehensive consultancy, technology and information services for the polymer industry and industries using plastics and rubber in any component, product or production process.
Company Statistics: Formerly the Rubber and Plastics Research Association (RAPRA)
Established 1919
5,000 clients worldwide per annum
2,000 technical projects each year
World class Information Centre
2 sites in the UK
130 staff Working for industry. Rapra provides specialist plastics and rubber technical, information and commercial services for the polymer industry and end-user industries including the automotive, construction, electrical, medical, offshore, packaging and polyurethane sectors. Rapra has a unique mix of on-site expertise and facilities enabling the application of an integrated approach to problem solving. Its capabilities lie in the skills and experience of its people, many of whom are recognised as leading experts in their field. Clients can commission individual services,specialist consultancy or participate in multi-client research projects, funded by EC and UK government and/or industry, to progress research and development of polymer technology and applications. Testing, analysis and calibration services. Rapra’s physical testing, analytical and chemical laboratories are UKAS accredited to provide UKAS certification and test to a range of national and international standards. Numerous physical tests assess material properties such as abrasion, fatigue, impact and stress and their performance in products in particular conditions. Rapra’s analytical and chemical laboratories undertake materials identification and characterisation etc. using a range of advanced chromatographic, spectroscopic and thermal techniques. Information services. Rapra’s technical facilities are complemented by an extensive polymer Information Centre. The Polymer Library is the world’s most comprehensive plastics and rubber information database in the public domain. Available either in hardcopy, on CD-ROM or via the internet, it contains over 850,000 references which are updated every two weeks. Rapra produces a range of publications including Journals, Industrial Analysis Reports, Review Reports and global Directories, detailed in a Publications Catalogue. Technology services. Rapra’s plastics and rubber technical services can prevent, identify or solve problems and improve on or ensure continuing quality. Supported by comprehensive testing, analysis and information facilities, technologists can tackle most polymer related projects. Whilst details of specialist services are available, the following represents Rapra’s core technical expertise: Materials selection & application support
Product design & development
Manufacturing process development
Prototyping & small scale production
Engineering & tooling
Fault & failure diagnosis
Testing & Analysis
Conferences
Rapra brings together leading academics and industrialists in an annual programme of national and international conferences. Renowned for their quality coverage of polymer topics, Rapra conferences are of interest to polymer processors and industry-wide users. Technology Training Courses
Rapra runs an extensive programme of short technology-based training courses covering materials, product design, processing techniques and environmental considerations. Recognised by the Institute of Materials Continuing Professional Development scheme, they aim to enhance in-house skills, help in identifying problems and to recognise potential opportunities. |
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