Exposure assessment of chemicals from packaging materials in foods: a review

It is recognised that chemicals from packaging and other food-contact materials can migrate into the food itself and thus be ingested by the consumer. The monitoring of this migration has become an integral part of ensuring food safety. This article reviews the current knowledge on the food safety hazards associated with packaging materials together with the methodologies used in the assessment of consumer exposure to these hazards. Special attention is given to the most promising approaches for exposure assessment and to the technical and other barriers which need addressing.