Ensuring the safety of food contact materials
Vaidehi Garimella, Asma Suwaidi and Libin Johnson Antony
Dubai Central Laboratory, UAE
: J Food Nutr Disor
Abstract
Packaging materials and migration are closely related issues. Since food contact materials may cause unpredictable safety risk to food and human health, most countries have established strict regulations, directives or criteria targeting food contact materials, especially in the EU and US. Though the risk is low, there is growing evidence that harmful chemicals from some types of plastic can migrate into food.. The Food Standards Code governs the use of plastics for wrapping or packaging foods. At Dubai Central Laboratory, we carry out food contact materials testing to ensure that the products comply with the appropriate regulations for food contact materials. The toxins and chemicals (BPA, Monomers and Phthalates etc.) that leach from plastics into food have shown to cause diseases like- hormonal imbalances, infertility, early onset of diabetes, hypertension, and cancers. Thus, there is a need to assess the risk associated with the migration of plastics into Food and implement measures to reduce the use of such materials.
Biography
I introduce myself as Mrs. Vaidehi Garimella, with over 20 years of experience in Food, Environmental and Polymer analysis. Currently I am working at Dubai Central Laboratory, Dubai Municipality as a Principal Food Analyst with Post graduate degree in Chemistry (M.Sc Chemistry) from India. I am also a certified lead auditor for ISO 17025 and OSHAs 18001 certification system. During my tenure in Dubai Central Laboratory, I have developed and Validated many methods and also the in-charge of Quality and responsible for ISO 17025 accreditation in Food Chemical analysis Unit. Participated in Poster Presentations from year 2011 at DIFSC and won awards for Best poster two times. I am trained in Radiation safety by I.A.E.A trainer and got Radiation Safety Officer Certificate. I was a member of Chemistry association at DCL, Technical member of Media and marketing team of DCL and Technical auditor of DCL. Before Joining Dubai Central Laboratory, I worked in a polymer manufacturing facility, Reliance Silicones as a Development Chemist.
