Safety assessment and quality control of regenerated cellulose food packaging in different processes

Abstract

Regenerated cellulose food packaging is increasingly widely used due to its renewable raw materials and excellent environmental performance. However, because its production process is complex, the safety of the regenerated cellulose food packaging needs to study carefully. In this study, we first collected the packages produced by traditional and new technology, and then HS-GC-MS was used to screen the volatile potential migrants in the package. Three food simulants were used for migration tests. The migrants from the regenerated cellulose food packaging during the contact with different foods were non-targeted screened and semi-quantitative by UPLC-QTOF-MS and GC-MS. The results show that 44 kinds of substances migrated to food simulants, and assessed their risk in conjunction with production processes. Glycerol or triethylene glycol as softeners, migrated in all three simulants and all types of packaging materials. Polyethylene glycol is detected in packaging materials with coatings, that come from adhesives. Allure red and its degradation products used for food coloring were detected in the transferable casing. The degradation product belongs to aromatic amine, which poses a high risk. Glycerol has the highest abundance among all migrants. By comparing the exposure and safety threshold values of migrants, it was found that polyethylene glycol and allure red pose health risks and should be paid more attention.