Rubber compounds are used extensively in the food processing industry in products such as conveyor belts, hoses, heating gaskets, seals and mixing paddles. Rubber is also used to manufacture teats for baby bottles, can seals, meat netting, and other items which have direct contact with food, sometimes for extended periods. It is important that the rubber used to make these products does not affect the food with which it comes into contact. One issue is the potential migration of rubber compounding ingredients, monomers or vulcanisation products from rubber into food.

Legislation in North America and Europe, particularly from the Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) in the US and the Bundesinstituts fr gesundheitlichen Verbraucherschutz und Veterinrmedizin (BgVV) in Germany, has been formulated to determine safe compounding and food contact test regimes for rubbers. These regimes include overall migration testing (generally gravimetric approaches) and specific migration tests (for individual chemical species). The food simulant used in tests and the temperature and duration of contact may vary with the intended uses of each compound. The relevant legislation and test regimes are outlined in this overview.

In the UK, the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF), industry and Rapra have combined forces to study the issues surrounding rubbers in contact with food. A survey has been carried out of the food processing industry to determine which rubber products come into contact with food, contact area, duration of contact and temperature of contact. The results of this survey are found in the report and a compilation of data tables on each food industry studied is included as an appendix.

John Sidwell and Martin Forrest have also been extensively involved in comparing methods of analysis of migration from rubber compounds. One section of this review describes the standard analytical techniques used to detect and quantify common specific migrating species. As part of their work with MAFF, Rapra have formulated a set of rubber compounds and examined them using FDA and BgVV prescribed methods, but also with alternative innovative techniques. Results from these studies on migration are presented.

This Rapra Review Report provides an excellent, clearly written report on the state-of-the-art of food contact elastomers. It contains extensive data from the project carried out between MAFF, Rapra and the industry. It will be of benefit to those working to formulate food contact rubbers, food processors and testing laboratories, together with organisations working to ensure safe conditions for food production.

This Rapra Review Report comprises a concise, expert overview, supported by an extensive bibliography compiled from the Polymer Library on the topic of rubbers in contact with food. This bibliography provides useful additional information on this topical field.