Abstract

The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines and HealthCare (EDQM) has recently published a new Technical Guide, which was compiled by the Council of Europe. It is used in various tests of metals and alloys used in food contact materials and articles. Metals and alloys are used in food contact materials and articles in food processing equipment, containers and household utensils as well as in foil used to wrap food. Metal ions can be released from these materials, into foods and, if the release exceeds the toxicological reference values, it may endanger the health of the consumer or unacceptably alter the composition of the food or its organoleptic characteristics. The new Technical guide covers general provisions and recommendations which can assist national policy-makers to adopt legislative and other measures aimed at reducing the health risks arising from consumer exposure to certain metal ions released into food from the contact with metals and alloys. It also provides technical information on specific release limits (SRLs) for metals and analytical methods for release testing of food contact materials and articles made from metals and alloys.