The movement of a substance into food through a pathway in which the substance does not necessarily originate from the surface directly touching the food.
For example, substances associated with printing inks, adhesives, or outer packaging layers may migrate through or around other materials before reaching food. This is particularly relevant to paperboard and multilayer packaging.
The term is useful because food packaging can contain several layers and components, including inks, adhesives, coatings, and barrier layers. A substance does not have to be on the innermost food-contact surface to potentially become relevant to food safety.
COMMONLY CONFUSED WITH
- Chemical migration: the broader process by which chemicals move from a material into food.
- Direct migration: generally refers to migration from a material or component in direct contact with the food.
SEE ALSO