EN 12498: Determination of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Titanium (Ti) in Food Contact Paper and Cardboard Materials

EN 12498: Paper and board - Paper and board intended to come into contact with foodstuffs - Determination of cadmium, chromium and lead in an aqueous extract

Paper and cardboard packaging materials are widely used in food packaging, especially in the ready-to-eat sector. Direct contact of hot food with packaging material or long-term contact with cardboard and paper packaging causes migration. It is possible for metals such as Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Titanium (Ti) to exist in paper and cardboard packages and pass into foods.

The EN 12498 standard specifies the test method for the determination of cadmium, lead and chromium in an aqueous extract.

It can be applied to paper and cardboard that exceeds the removable metal contents.
— 0.1 mg per kg for cadmium,
— 0.6 mg per kg of lead,
— 0.25 mg per kg for chromium.

According to the analysis principle, the sample from the stabilized cold water or the stabilized hot water extract is analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry using a graphite tube furnace.

• Cold water or hot water extract is prepared from paper or cardboard using the test methods described in EN 645 or EN 647, respectively.
• The extract is stabilized by adding 1 ml of nitric acid to 100 ml of sample.
• The aqueous extract is thoroughly mixed and a portion is taken for analysis.
• The received portion is analyzed.

EN 12498: You can contact Nanolab Packaging Analysis Laboratory for the Determination of Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Titanium (Ti) in Food Contact Paper and Cardboard Materials.