Evaluation and analysis of additives and food contact materials
Our unit is a center of excellence for the evaluation of potential risks of known and emerging organic contaminants (e.g. phthalates, bisphenol A, intense sweeteners,…) in food, food contact materials and other consumer products. These substances can be added to consumer products either intentionally or unintentionally, during the production process. The potential health risks are evaluated by defining the hazard associated with specific substances and by assessing the exposure through food for humans. Our assessments are based on research and laboratory analysis using the most advanced techniques. With this approach, the national and international health authorities can adapt their legislation based on concrete and objective scientific evidence.
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Our research and analytical activities focus on the identification of potential health threats and on the evaluation of the dietary exposure to chemical contaminants (e.g. phthalates), additives (e.g. sweeteners), natural substances (e.g. steviol glycosides) and substances migrating from food, food contact materials and other consumer products (i.e toys,…). As a result, a preliminary risk assessment can be carried out for a wide variety of substances.
We are ISO 17025 compliant for the evaluation of the specific migration of many different substances (like bisphenol A, primary aromatic amines, phthalates, formaldehyde, photo-initiators, etc.), and we belong to the European network of reference laboratories for food contact materials.
Moreover, we have developed a comprehensive database of more than 9000 substances used in food contact materials. Nevertheless, for thousands of these compounds, the toxicity has not yet been evaluated. Our research projects aim to overcome this knowledge gap in order to evaluate the potential health risks of these non-evaluated substances.
Finally, we collaborate with the Belgian (Federal Public Service Public Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment and Federal Agency for the safety of the food Chain) and European (European Food Safety Authority and Joint Research Center of the European Commission) authorities in order to support the implementation of their respective public health policies.