Evaluation of Short-Term and Long-Term Migration Testing from Can Coatings into Food Simulants: Epoxy and Acrylic-Phenolic Coatings.

Traditionally, migration testing during 10 days at 40 °C has been considered sufficient and appropriate for simulating the potential migration of substances from food-contact materials into foods. However, some packages, such as food cans, may be stored holding food for extended time periods (years). This study attempts to verify whether common testing conditions accurately estimate long-term migration. Two types of can coatings, epoxy and acrylic-phenolic, were subjected to short-term and long-term migration testing (1 day-1.5 years) using food simulants (water, 3% acetic acid, 50% ethanol, and isooctane) at 40 °C. Using HPLC-DAD/CAD, HPLC-MS, UHPLC-HRMS (where HRMS is accurate mass, mass spectrometry), and DART-HRMS, we identified potential migrants before starting the experiment: BPA, BADGE, BADGE derivatives, benzoguanamine, and other relevant marker compounds. During the experiment using a water-based food simulant, migrants remained stable. Most of the cans in contact with 3% acetic acid did not survive the experimental conditions. Tracked migrants were not detected in isooctane. In the presence of 50% ethanol, the traditional migration test during 10 days at 40 °C did not predict migration during long-term storage. These results suggest that migration protocols should be modified to account for long-term storage.