Analysis of Epichlorohydrin Dissolved from Metal Food Cans by GC

Introduction

Residual organic solvents in food packaging materials are receiving attention due to the heightened concern for food safety and public health. Specific standards and specifications as well as testing methods are established for each type of material used in food packaging materials in Japan's "Food Sanitation Act- Section 3: Implements, Containers, and Packaging in the Standards and Criteria for Food and Food Additives, etc." The inside surface of metal food cans is typically coated with synthetic resin to prevent direct contact of the food with the metal surface of the can. Various types of resins are used for this coating material, including epoxy resin, phenolic resin, and polyvinyl chloride. Separate standards have been established for testing of phenol and formaldehyde, volatile residues, epichlorohydrin, and vinyl chloride; all of these standards rely on dissolution testing followed by gas chromatographic analysis. This Application News introduces an example of analysis of epichlorohydrin dissolved from a resin coating on the inside of a can used for canned foods.

December 16, 2010 GMT