image: Database on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals (FCCmigex)
Credit: Food Packaging Forum Foundation
The recently updated, open-access FCCmigex database now compiles information on 5,294 food contact chemicals from packaging and other food contact articles across 1,500 scientific studies. Latest research focuses on PFAS, phthalates, and antioxidants. The free database provides citable data to support scientific and regulatory efforts to improve the safety of food contact materials.
Food packaging can be a source of hazardous chemicals that transfer into food. The first-of-its-kind Database on Migrating and Extractable Food Contact Chemicals (FCCmigex) provides systematic evidence to carry out risk assessments and identify safer materials for food packaging.
On March 12, 2025, the Food Packaging Forum Foundation (FPF) launched a new version of the FCCmigex database, featuring recent scientific studies (between October 2022 and May 2024) and new functionalities. This major update will further enhance scientific understanding of chemicals in food packaging and other food contact articles.
FCCmigex systematically compiles scientific evidence on food contact chemicals (FCCs), either present in food contact materials (FCMs) or transferred into food under real-world conditions, which indicates potential human exposure.
All the data is freely accessible in a user-friendly dashboard, including scientific studies published until May 2024. The latest update extends the database’s coverage and now includes:
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5,294 food contact chemicals (+20% increase from the previous version)
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1,500 scientific studies (+13% increase)
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More than 35,500 database entries (+30% increase)
Key findings of the new data are:
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29 of the 188 new studies report the detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), adding 62 newly identified PFAS to the 68 previously documented in food contact materials. PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, are highly persistent and have raised serious health concerns due to their potential toxicity, such as cancers, infertility, and impaired immune system.
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Also, phthalates continued to be found regularly: 44 of the new studies have detected DEHP, DBP, and/or DEP, mostly related to plastic food contact materials. Phthalates are toxic for reproduction and have endocrine disrupting properties.
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2,4-di-tert-butylphenol is the chemical with the highest number of new database entries, indicating potential human exposure from synthetic antioxidants used in plastics. This chemical has high aquatic toxicity and is currently under assessment for its effects as an endocrine disruptor.
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A notable trend in recent studies is the shift toward untargeted chemical analyses. These approaches aim at covering all chemicals that can potentially be transferred from packaging into the food and will provide deeper insights into chemical mixtures migrating from packaging into food.
New features of the dashboard include geographical data pinpointing where tested food contact articles were purchased, a new filter for the publication year, improved filters for distinguishing between recycled and primary plastic content, and the addition of regenerated cellulose as a new category of FCM.
With this update, the Food Packaging Forum continues to support scientific research and regulatory efforts to assess and mitigate potential human health risks associated with food contact chemicals.
Subject of Research
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