For three years, we will be participating as an associated partner in the European research project "Metrology for Food Safety in the Circular Economy: Targeting and Screening Methods for Contaminants in Food and Recycled Packaging," or "ScreenFood" for short. The project aims to make food and food contact materials safe in the long term. To this end, measurement methods for detecting contaminants in food and food packaging are being developed. In addition, the development of European standards is intended to promote the harmonization of these measurement methods across Europe.
Challenge in food safety
Food safety is of central importance to protect end consumers from potential harm caused by contaminated food. In Europe, we have a very high standard in this regard, and safety is a priority in EU and Swiss legislation. Another focus of EU policy is the circular economy and the development of a sustainable food system. The aim is to minimize food waste and environmental impact and to maximize the well-being of consumers. As part of the Green Deal, the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) was adopted. As a result, more recycled and sustainable packaging materials are expected to enter the market in the future.
Since food interacts with its packaging and can absorb contaminants as a result, the use of recyclates in food contact materials exacerbates the challenge of food safety. However, in order to avoid pitting circular economy and food safety against each other, research is being conducted into analytical methods that enable both by standardizing the safety assessment of secondary packaging.
Today, it is difficult for decision-makers, analytical laboratories, and regulatory authorities to perform and evaluate measurements of contaminants. On the one hand, it is often unclear which contaminants to look for. On the other hand, existing standard methods are sometimes inadequate for new packaging materials, or there are no standard methods yet for certain matrices or combinations thereof. However, consistency and accuracy in the assessment and treatment of contaminants are essential for making informed decisions and maintaining the integrity of the food supply chain.
This research project aims to close this gap. The goal is to improve the analytical methods for quantifying contaminants and to harmonize them throughout Europe. This will ensure a high level of food safety throughout the entire production and distribution process.
Development of reference methods and reference materials
As part of the project, reference methods and reference materials are being developed for the quantification of contaminants in food and food packaging, with special consideration being given to secondary materials.
The project focuses on the health-damaging mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons)) and the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS (Per- and PolyfluoroAlkyl Substances)). Reference methods and materials are to be developed for these chemicals, among others, in order to be able to detect contamination in food and food packaging. These metrological instruments will help the industry to offer safe food in sustainable packaging.
Project consortium and international cooperation
The project consortium consists of national metrology institutes, research institutions and industrial companies from EU and non-EU countries. ScreenFood is coordinated by INRIM – Instituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica. Our task is to build a stakeholder platform to ensure that the results of the project are actually used and applied in the industry to promote the closing of the packaging loop. Furthermore, with our knowledge of the circular economy and the use of secondary materials, in particular plastic, paper and cardboard, we contribute to the project by ensuring that the relevant materials are investigated and that the industry's questions on the subject are addressed.
Are you interested in contributing to the project as a stakeholder? Then please contact Dr. Melanie Haupt.
Further information can be found here on the project website.
Overview of all project partners
- INRIM (National Metrological Institute, I)
- BAM (Designated Institute for Metrology in Chemistry, D)
- GUM (National Metrological Institute, PL)
- IMBiH (National Metrological Institute, BIH)
- JSI (Research organization for basic and applied research in natural sciences and technology (Designated Institute for the content of trace elements in organic and inorganic materials), SLO)
- NIVA (Institute for Water Research (Designated Institute for selected chemical analyses in water), N)
- TUBITAK (Research Institute, TRK)
- ZRS Koper (Metrological Institute, SLO)
- Chiron (Company for the production, certification and distribution of reference materials, N)
- CVUA FR (European Union Reference Laboratory for halogenated persistent organic pollutants in feed and food, D)
- DTU (National Food Institute of the Technical University, DK)
- EUROLAB (European Federation of National Associations of Measurement, Testing and Analytical Laboratories, EUR)
- IAPR (Laboratory for Chemical Metrology, GR)
- MRI (Federal Research Institute for Nutrition and Food, D)
- Natureef (PL)
- Sciensano (Scientific Institute, B)
- UT (Institute of Chemistry, EST)
- AS
- GEA (Oil production company of quality edible oils, SLO)
- Gerstel (Developer and manufacturer of laboratory equipment, D)
- JOTIS (Food manufacturer, GR)
- KB Folie Polska (Design and manufacture of printed packaging, PL)
- Nestlé Waters (Reference Central Laboratory for Nestlé Waters, F)
- KLZH (Cantonal Laboratory Zurich, CH)
- METAS (National Metrological Institute, CH)
- SQTS (Swiss Quality Testing Services, CH)