In modern catering and household settings, food contact materials, as items that directly interact with food, have a significant impact on consumer health due to their material safety. According to international food safety standards, all materials that may come into contact with food must undergo rigorous testing to ensure that no harmful substances migrate into the food. Professional testing evaluates the chemical stability of items like cutlery under various conditions (e.g., high temperatures, acidic environments) to prevent the infiltration of hazardous components such as heavy metals or plasticizers into food.Today, Huabiao Testing shares insights on how to handle FCM (Food Contact Material) testing for wine corks.
Background and Importance of FCM Testing for Wine Corks
Wine corks, used to seal various types of wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, are food contact materials whose safety directly affects wine quality and consumer health. Corks are typically made from natural cork, synthetic materials, or composite materials, which may contain migratory substances such as volatile organic compounds, plasticizers, azo dyes, or heavy metals. If these substances migrate beyond permissible limits, they may pose potential health risks. Conducting FCM testing to verify compliance with relevant regulatory standards is critical for businesses to operate in accordance with regulations.
Key Testing Items for Wine Corks
In addition to composition analysis, FCM testing for wine corks includes the following key testing items:
Overall Migration Testing: This evaluates the total amount of substances migrating from the cork material under specific solvent conditions, typically using a water-ethanol mixture to simulate alcoholic environments. Through immersion testing, the total migration is measured to ensure it is below the EU’s limit of 10 mg/dm².
Specific Migration Testing: This targets specific hazardous substances such as plasticizers, heavy metals, azo dyes, monomers, and additives, ensuring their migration levels comply with standards such as GB, FDA, and LFGB.
Physical Performance Testing: This includes assessing moisture content, density, air permeability, and elasticity to verify the physical stability and sealing performance of the cork in actual use, preventing wine oxidation or leakage due to material degradation.
Sensory Evaluation: Professional evaluators conduct visual, olfactory, and taste tests to ensure that the cork or its migratory substances do not affect the original flavor of the wine.
Alcohol Resistance and Microbial Testing: This verifies the cork material’s resistance to alcohol corrosion and its antibacterial properties, ensuring no harmful microbial growth occurs during long-term storage.
GIG Testing: Your Trusted Partner for REACH Testing
GIG Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, provides comprehensive FCM testing solutions for food contact materials. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our testing data is accurate and reliable, and our reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products can be successfully sold globally.
