[Organoleptic analysis of food packaging].

The basic rules for the organoleptic analysis of food contact materials and food packaging and the criteria of their assessment was presented. According to the EU legislation food contact materials can not release their constituents into the food in quantities that can be harmful for the consumers and/or can change the organoleptic characteristics of food. Conformity of food contact materials and food packaging with the regulation for overall and specific migration and organoleptic characteristics should be shown by their performance in relevant tests. The standardised method for the organoleptic analysis of the food contact materials does not exist in the UE. Member States use the own methods published as national standards. For sensory analysis of foreign taste and odour Poland uses the triangle method according to Polish Standard PN-87/O-79114. Some countries use Robinson test according to German Standard DIN 10955. These two tests are basing on the same principle. Food contact materials and food packaging, which give negative results in sensory analysis can not be used in direct contact with food, even though all testing parameters in overall and specific migration were fulfil the requirements for the permissible limits.