The objective of this Rapra Review Report is to provide a comprehensive overview of the use of rubber as a food contact material, from an initial description of the types of rubber which are used in the industry, through the formulation of products, and the contact regulations and migration testing regimes, to the research that is on-going to improve its safety and the trends for the future. This report is a completely revised and updated version of Rapra Review Report 119 published in 2000. This Rapra Review Report comprises a concise, expert review, supported by an extensive bibliography compiled from the Rapra Abstracts database on the topic of rubbers in contact with food. This bibliography provides useful additional information on this topical field.

Rubber analysis plays a vital part in ensuring that manufactured products are fit for purpose. This comprehensive, application-based book with up-to-date referencing covers all important applications and subject area associated with the analysis of rubber compounds and rubber products. Includes characterization of rubber polymers, rubber fumes, identification of extractables and leachables, as well as reverse engineering on compounded products.

In recent years there have been certain scare stories about the possible negative effects on human health from some of these materials. However, today, it is realised that it is often not the polymers themselves, but their monomers or the additives used that are responsible for these negative effects. And the reality is that a lot of polymers are used in medical applications without adverse effects on patients. Hence, the dividing line between whether something is toxic and harmful to health or not (and if it is, under what conditions) is a very critical issue and therefore, there needs to be a better understanding of these systems. This book presents the available information on the eternal triangle of plastics and rubber and health, to enable a better understanding of the facts.

"Food Contact Materials - Rubbers, Silicones, Coatings and Inks, is an amalgamation of data from four recent projects. This report provides a wealth of information taken from the results and findings of research projects on: Migration Data of Food Contact Rubbers (Two projects), Rubber Breakdown Products, Chemical Migration from Silicones used in Connection with Food Contact Materials and Articles and An Assessment of the Potential of Migration of Substances from Inks and their Respective Coatings. Each review provides an expert overview of the products as food contact materials, with a comprehensive accompanying list of relevant references from the Smithers Rapra Polymer Library to enable further reading. In each case there is an initial in-depth description of the variety and types of products that are used in industry, and the chemical processes associated with their manufacture. A summary of the relevant food contact regulations, together with the migration and analytical testing regimes used to assess their suitability for food contact are also included. Food Contact Materials - Rubbers, Silicones, Coatings and Inks, brings together important sources of food contact information in a single, convenient volume and will be an important reference source for workers in the food industry in general, and within the food contact field in particular. This handbook will also be of interest to anyone who works with the packaging of food and beverages and also to those who are studying food packaging/processing."--Publisher's website.

This book comprises a glossary of terms used in the rubber industry, a detailed description of the common rubber materials, a section on rubber additives, and an outline of the equipment types used in rubber processing. It provides a quick means of obtaining information about key subjects.