An analytical method for detecting UV/EB curable acrylate monomers and photoinitiators with the migration potential from food packaging prints

This dissertation focused on analytical method development for detecting UV/EB curing inks and coatings from food contact surface of printed food packaging in compliance with the FDA guideline, Guidance for Industry: "Preparation of food contact Notification and Food Additives Petitions for Food Contact Substances": Chemistry Recommendations, Final Guidance, April (2002).; Through this study, using single-side extraction cells and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), an analytical protocol for determining FDA compliance of UV/EB cured food packaging has been validated. Furthermore, using this protocol with accelerated extraction conditions, a 24-hour accelerated migration testing protocol was investigated and proven to be equivalent to the FDA recommended testing protocol. In addition, electron ionization - mass spectra (EI-MS) database and retention indices (RI) of EB/UV curable monomers and PIs as identification tools were established.