[Case Study] Residual Solvent Analysis in Food Packaging Using Headspace GC

Analysis of residual solvents in food packaging by headspace GC-FID/MS according to European standard EN 13628-1 method.

The chemical components of food packaging (especially those derived from polymers, dyes, and inks) can pose health risks to consumers by migrating into food. In the United States, the migration limit applicable to residual solvents and non-volatile food additives is 50 ppm. Additionally, the accurate quantification of residual solvents in flexible packaging is regulated by established methods such as EN 13628-1:2002. When analyzing volatile impurities in solid polymers using liquid injection, a cumbersome process of dissolving the sample in an appropriate solvent is required. Furthermore, high-viscosity solutions containing non-volatile long-chain polymers can contaminate the GC injector port, leading to increased analysis costs due to frequent maintenance. On the other hand, using headspace sampling allows for the rapid and easy extraction of volatile components from food packaging samples, eliminating the need for time-consuming sample preparation. This technical document presents the quantitative results of residual solvent analysis in food packaging materials conducted using the TriPlus 500 headspace (HS) autosampler. The dual detector configuration of FID/MS enabled the detection, identification (using hydrogen flame ionization detection), and confirmation (using mass spectrometry detection) of unknown impurities.

Analytical Equipment and Devices