MIDDLE EAST TESTING SERVICES W.L.L QATAR
MIDDLE EAST TESTING SERVICES W.L.L QATAR
Migration Testing for Food Contact Materials
Ensuring Food Safety Beyond the Product
In Qatar’s rapidly evolving food and packaging industry, product safety goes beyond the ingredients—it extends to every material that touches food. Containers, packaging, utensils, and processing equipment can transfer harmful substances into food, impacting quality, safety, and compliance.
Our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory in Doha, Qatar, performs comprehensive overall and specific migration testing on food contact materials (FCMs) in full accordance with Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), QGOSM, and GSO standards.
By ensuring that packaging materials meet GSO 1863/2013 and related international benchmarks (EU, FDA, Codex), we help protect consumers, support import compliance, and maintain brand integrity.
1. Qatar and GCC Regulatory Framework
Migration testing in Qatar is governed by national and regional food safety standards designed to control the chemical interaction between food and its contact materials.
Applicable Standards & References:
- Qatar Food Law No. (8) of 1990 and amendments
- GSO 1863/2013 – Materials and Articles in Contact with Food – General Requirements
- GSO 841/1997 – Plastic Materials in Contact with Food
- GSO 2231/2012 – Materials and Articles in Contact with Food
- GSO 2144/2011 – Ceramic and Glass Articles in Contact with Food
- Qatar Conformity Assessment (QGOSM) & MoPH Food Safety Guidelines
- ISO/IEC 17025 – Laboratory Competence Standard
Our test protocols also align with EU Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 (for plastics) and Codex Alimentarius recommendations, ensuring global acceptance of results.
2. What Is Migration Testing?
Migration testing evaluates the transfer of chemical substances from packaging or contact materials into food or food simulants. Migration may occur due to heat, storage time, or direct contact between the food and its packaging.
There are two major types of migration testing:
A. Overall Migration Test (OM)
Purpose:
Measures the total amount of non-volatile substances that migrate from the material into a food simulant.
Objective:
To assess the global inertness and overall safety of the material.
Regulatory Limit (GSO 1863/2013):
- ≤ 10 mg/dm² or ≤ 60 mg/kg of food
B. Specific Migration Test (SM)
Purpose:
Measures the migration of specific hazardous or regulated substances.
Common Analytes Include:
- Heavy metals (Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Mercury)
- Primary Aromatic Amines (PAAs)
- Phthalates and Bisphenol A (BPA)
- Formaldehyde and Melamine
- Plasticizers, Stabilizers, and Antioxidants
Objective:
To confirm that no restricted substances exceed permissible limits defined by GSO and MoPH.
3. Materials We Test
We perform migration analysis on a wide range of food contact materials, including:
- Plastic containers, films, and wraps
- Aluminum and metal packaging
- Ceramic and glass articles
- Paper, cardboard, and laminated packaging
- Silicone and rubber utensils
- Food processing and storage equipment surfaces
Each test is customized based on the intended use, food type, and exposure conditions.
4. Food Simulants and Testing Conditions (GSO 1863/2013)
Migration testing uses food simulants to replicate different food environments.
| Food Type | Simulant Used | Example Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous foods | 3% Acetic Acid | Juices, Pickles, Canned Foods |
| Fatty foods | Isooctane / Ethanol (95%) | Oils, Cheese, Butter |
| Alcoholic foods | 10% Ethanol | Wine, Beer, Spirits |
| Dry foods | Isooctane / Ethanol Vapour | Biscuits, Cereals, Powders |
Test Conditions:
Temperature and exposure time are selected based on actual usage (e.g., refrigerated storage, hot filling, microwave, or long-term contact).
5. Importance of Migration Testing
Migration testing is a mandatory requirement for all food contact materials in Qatar. It protects consumers and ensures compliance before products enter the market.
Key Benefits:
- Consumer Protection: Detects and prevents toxic chemical leaching.
- Regulatory Compliance: Meets MoPH and GSO safety standards.
- Quality Assurance: Verifies stability, inertness, and product compatibility.
- Market Access: Required for import clearance and MoPH registration.
- Brand Reputation: Demonstrates a commitment to food safety and transparency.
6. Example of Migration Test Parameters
| Test Type | Analyte / Parameter | Method Used | Limit / Standard | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Migration | Total Non-Volatile Residue | Gravimetric / Evaporation | ≤ 10 mg/dm² | GSO 1863/2013 |
| Specific Migration | Heavy Metals(Pb, Cd, Cr) | AAS / ICP-OES | ≤ 1–3 mg/kg | GSO 841/1997 |
| Specific Migration | Phthalates, BPA | GC-MS / HPLC | ≤ 0.05 mg/kg | EU 10/2011 / GSO 1863 |
| Specific Migration | Melamine / Formaldehyde | UV-Vis / HPLC | ≤ 15 mg/kg | GSO 2144/2011 |
| Specific Migration | Primary Aromatic Amines (PAAs) | LC-MS/MS | ND (< 0.01 mg/kg) | GSO 1863/2013 |
7. Industries We Serve
Our migration testing services in Qatar support a variety of sectors, including:
- Food Packaging Manufacturers
- Importers & Distributors of containers and utensils
- Food & Beverage Producers
- Retailers & Supermarkets
- Catering & Hospitality Providers
- Regulatory and Quality Assurance Teams
We help ensure that every packaging component is safe, stable, and fit for food contact applications.
8. Why Choose METS Laboratories
- ISO/IEC 17025-Accredited Laboratory located in Doha, Qatar
- Recognized by Qatar MoPHand aligned with GSO regulations
- Advanced Analytical Instruments – GC-MS, HPLC, ICP-OES, UV-Vis
- Testing for All Food Simulants (aqueous, fatty, alcoholic, dry)
- Fast Turnaround & Comprehensive Reporting
- Expert Regulatory Consultation for MoPH and GSO documentation
Ensuring Safe Packaging for Safer Food
At METS Laboratories, QATAR, we help packaging manufacturers, importers, and food producers verify that their materials comply with Qatar’s MoPH and GSO migration standards.
Our scientifically validated testing ensures product integrity, consumer safety, and regulatory readiness — safeguarding your brand’s credibility across local and global markets.
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