Author(s): Shashi Sharma and Vikram S Chauhan

Abstract:
Packaging materials made of plastics are necessary for the food industry, and this posses a major problem if they were suddenly made out of use. Most of the plastics used are known to be almost chemically inert towards the packaged food constituents, however it is known that still sometimes a small amount of toxic additives or unbound monomers and oligomers may course of migration into food items. Migration may occur during storage of food in plastic packages, and may be particularly extensive when fatty food surfaces are in direct contact with plastic packaging. Heating food in plastic containers, e.g., in microwave ovens, increase the rate and extent of migration. Safety of food packaging materials is controlled around the world. Legislative agencies in many countries assess migration levels of plastic constituents. This review article presents major issues regarding toxicity of food packaging and related regulatory rules to avoid their toxic invasion, further it suggests some recommendations to lower the risk of such invasive toxicity.