WIREDGOV

The Agency has produced a summary of its research published in May 2012. This includes a project that has helped detect the transfer of chemicals from packaging to food and two projects evaluating food hygiene schemes in the UK.

Printing inks research

New techniques have been developed to help detect the transfer of chemicals found in printing inks from the outer to the inner side of printed food packaging, which may contaminate food. A scanner has been developed that is capable of detecting the unintentional transfer of substances used in printing inks from the outer surface of food packaging to the inner surface in contact with the food. This is referred to as ‘visible set-off’. Additionally, exposure techniques and analytical methods were developed, to measure the transfer of individual ink components to food.

Voluntary display of hygiene ratings research

Two pieces of research were also published assessing the level of voluntary display of its food hygiene schemes in the UK. The detail of these can be found in the news story published earlier this month at the link below.

Our research

The Agency carries out and commissions extensive scientific research and survey work to ensure that our advice to the public is based on the best and most up-to-date science.