FCCmigex database
About FCCmigex
The Database on Migrating and Extractable Food Contact Chemicals (FCCmigex) systematically maps the scientific evidence of food contact chemicals (FCCs) that have been measured in migrates and extracts of food contact materials and articles. It was compiled by a team of researchers from the Food Packaging Forum together with colleagues from eight academic institutions. The scientists analyzed 1,500 scientific studies that resulted from a systematic literature search and passed a two-phase screening process. In total, the database contains around 5,300 food contact chemicals and over 35,500 database entries.
All FCCs in the database were investigated either for their presence in food contact materials, or for their propensity to transfer into food under real-world conditions, thus making human exposure to these chemicals highly probable. Importantly, only 28% of the FCCs that were detected in these studies were previously known to be used in the manufacture of food contact materials. And of all the materials investigated, 63% of the studies were on plastics with 3,696 different chemicals detected.
The FCCmigex database is a product of the ongoing Food Contact Chemicals and Human Health (FCCH) Project led by the Food Packaging Forum. A peer-reviewed, open-access article in the scientific journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition provides detailed information about the compilation of the database and summarizes some of the key information. All data are accessible via the interactive tool below.
A full list of all chemicals in the FCCmigex database with additional identifiers can be downloaded from the Norman Suspect List Exchange (List S112).
Background
Food packaging and other food contact articles, such as processing equipment and kitchen utensils, can release chemicals into food. This process of chemical migration causes chronic human exposure to chemicals and can lead to adverse health effects. Until now, human exposure assessment for food contact chemicals (FCCs) has primarily focused on a few dozen chemicals of concern, such as bisphenols, phthalates, mineral oil hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. However, thousands of FCCs are intentionally added during the manufacture of food contact materials and articles and even more FCCs may be present in the final articles.
Search the FCCmigex Database
The freely available, interactive tool below allows you to use the FCCmigex database in an easily accessible and searchable way. We recommend using Chrome, Brave, or Edge web browsers. The Mozilla Firefox browser sometimes results in display errors.
Getting started: Select from the home screen below to either explore all data, plastic-related data or references. The tool can be expanded into full-screen mode by clicking the double-sided arrow in the bottom right corner. Check out the video on the right for a quick introduction on how to search the dashboard and find the data you are most interested in.
View and search the database
Details about FCCmigex versions
The first version of the FCCmigex database is described in detail in the scientific article published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. For major updates leading to subsequent versions, fact sheets with key figures and additional explanations are available: Version 2, Version 3 (current version).
Frequently Asked Questions
What information can I find in the FCCmigex database? How do I search it?
The interactive tool above allows you to search and filter the data on food contact chemicals (FCCs) that have been measured in the migrates and extracts of many different food contact materials (FCMs) and articles (FCAs). There are three separate views within the tool: the data view of all FCMs, the data view of plastic FCMs, and the references view.
In the data views, you are shown aggregated information on an almost countless number of questions related to FCCs, FCMs, FCAs, and beyond. Here are a few examples of possible questions that are answered by selecting the appropriate filters in the tool:
- How often has a food contact chemical been detected in a food contact material?
- How many food contact chemicals have been measured per different food contact materials?
- Which food contact chemical has been most frequently detected in repeat-use food contact articles?
- How many references have reported about migration experiments for a food contact chemical?
- Which food contact chemicals have never been detected although they were investigated?
The reference view shows you which published studies are the source of the data. In the reference view, you can apply the same search and selection criteria as in the data views. The list of references then links to all relevant sources that provide information about the filtered criteria. There is also the option to search for authors, title, journal, or year of publication. Example questions you can answer in this view are:
- Which studies have analyzed a specific food contact chemical?
- Which studies have addressed only single-use food contact articles and tested them in extraction experiments?
- Which studies have investigated chemical migration into food for a specific food contact material?
- When have studies on a specific chemical been published?
- Who has been publishing a study on a specific food contact material or food contact chemical?
The DOI or another URL is included for most articles to quickly link to the underlying references.
What is a database entry?
The FCCmigex database contains over 35’500 database entries. Database entries can be thought of as rows in a large table.
Each database entry refers to a food contact chemical that was identified in a specific reference. A database entry also tells us in which food contact material and food contact article this food contact chemical was investigated. Finally, each entry is linked to information about the experimental setup and whether the chemical was detected or not. Therefore, the most important columns in the table of database entries have the following headings: Reference | Food Contact Chemical | Food Contact Material | Food Contact Article | Type of Experiment | Evidence of Detection
The number of database entries per reference varies greatly. For example, a reference which reports only one food contact chemical that was measured in one sample and using only one experimental setup will have just one database entry. But a reference that includes multiple material samples and applies untargeted analyses can generate several hundred database entries.
Why are some numbers in the journal article different from the numbers displayed in the interactive tool?
Some numbers in the journal article differ from those in the interactive tool due to database updates and minor changes for improving data quality.
The FCCmigex database is regularly updated, and the peer-reviewed article refers to version 1 of this database covering literature up to May 2021. Newer versions were published in April 2023 (version 2, covering literature up to October 2022) and March 2025 (version 3, covering literature up to May 2024).
Also, between the updates, we try to improve the quality of our data. This can lead to minor changes in absolute numbers (e.g. by assigning updated CAS Registry Numbers).
What should I do if I do not find a chemical I am looking for? Are chemical mixtures included in the FCCmigex database?
It is easiest and most reliable to search for the exact CAS number of the food contact chemical you are interested in. Many chemicals have synonyms that may not be found in the FCCmigex database when searching just by the chemical name. Please be aware, that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are listed under the name and CAS number of the free acid, not the salt(s).
Saturated mineral hydrocarbons (MOSH) and aromatic mineral hydrocarbons (MOAH) are the only chemical mixtures without a CAS number that have been included in the FCCmigex database. This was decided based on the high number of migration and extraction studies published on these chemical groups. The database does not include information on other chemical mixtures or substances of unknown or variable composition (UVCBs).
If you cannot find a chemical in the database for which you have evidence that it has been measured in FCMs and/or FCAs, please let us know (email: info@fp-forum.org). Currently, the FCCmigex database includes studies published until May 2024. For more information on how the literature was searched and screened, see the published journal article.
Does the database provide information on the concentrations of chemicals measured in migrates and extracts?
No, the FCCmigex database does not include any information on the concentrations of FCCs that were measured in migrates and extracts. However, the reference view of the tool above allows you to find the original scientific references for all database entries where you can extract this information.
How should I reference the database in my projects or publications?
In all works that reference the FCCmigex database, please cite both the Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition journal article as well as this website:
Geueke B, Groh KJ, Maffini MV, Martin OV, Boucher JM, Chiang YT, Gwosdz F, Jieh P, Kassotis CD, Lanska P, Myers JP, Odermatt A, Parkinson LV, Schreier VN, Srebny V, Zimmermann L, Scheringer M and Muncke J (2022) “Systematic Evidence on migrating and extractable Food Contact Chemicals: Most Chemicals detected in Food Contact Materials are not listed for Use” Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2067828
Food Packaging Forum Foundation ([current year]) “FCCmigex Database.” https://foodpackagingforum.org/fccmigex. Accessed [current date]
Will the FCCmigex database be updated in the future?
We regularly update the database, however without exact timelines set for future updates. Accurate curation of such a complex systematic dataset requires significant time and resources. We will provide information when new data are included in the FCCmigex database on this website and via our newsletter.
FCCmigex was first published in May 2022 (version 1, peer-reviewed article) and updated in April 2023 (version 2) and March 2025 (version 3).
If I have questions about the FCCmigex database or suggestions for improvements, who should I contact?
For suggestions and additional questions not answered here, in the journal article, or in the summaries of the updates, please send us an email (info@fp-forum.org). We will respond to you as soon as we are able.
Publications to cite
Systematic evidence on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals: most chemicals detected in food contact materials are not listed for use
Geueke B, Groh KJ, Maffini MV, Martin OV, Boucher JM, Chiang YT, Gwosdz F, Jieh P, Kassotis CD, Lanska P, Myers JP, Odermatt A, Parkinson LV, Schreier VN, Srebny V, Zimmermann L, Scheringer M and Muncke J. 2022, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition; DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2067828
Protocol for a systematic map of the evidence of migrating and extractable chemicals from food contact articles
Martin OV, Geueke B, Groh KJ, Chevrier J, Fini J-B, Houlihan J, Kassotis C, Myers P, Nagel SC, Pelch KE, Sargis RM, Trasande L, Vandenberg LN, Wagner M, Maffini MV, Muncke J. 2018, Zenodo, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.2525277
Publications using FCCmigex data
Potential mammary carcinogens used in food contact articles: Implications for policy, enforcement, and prevention
Evidence for widespread human exposure to food contact chemicals
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food packaging: Migration, toxicity, and management strategies
Hazardous chemicals in recycled and reusable plastic food packaging
Evaluating the food safety and risk assessment evidence-base of polyethylene terephthalate oligomers: A systematic evidence map
Unpacking the complexity of the polyethylene food contact articles value chain: A chemicals perspective
The NORMAN Suspect List Exchange (NORMAN-SLE): facilitating European and worldwide collaboration on suspect screening in high resolution mass spectrometry
Evaluating the food safety and risk assessment evidence-base of polyethylene terephthalate oligomers: Protocol for a systematic evidence map
Implementing the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability: The case of Food Contact Chemicals of Concern
Unpacking the complexity of the PET drink bottles value chain: A chemicals perspective
Gerassimidou S., Lanska P, Hahladakis JN, Lovat E, Vanzetto S, Geueke B, Groh KJ, Muncke J, Maffini M, Martin OV, and Iacovidou E. 2022, Journal of Hazardous Materials; DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128410
Funding
The work presented here is part of the Food Contact Chemicals and Human health (FCCH) Project. The FCCH project has been funded by project-related grants from The Plastic Solutions Fund, MAVA Foundation, Fondation Valery, Sympany Foundation, Minderoo Foundation, as well as by Food Packaging Forum’s unrestricted core funding.
Disclaimer
The consumer of these data (“Data User” herein) has an ethical obligation to cite it appropriately in any publication that results from its use. The Data User should realize that these data may be actively used by others for ongoing research and that coordination may be necessary to prevent duplicate publication. The Data User is urged to contact the authors of these data if any questions about methodology or results occur. Where appropriate, the Data User is encouraged to consider collaboration or coauthorship with the authors. The Data User should realize that misinterpretation of data may occur if used out of context of the original study. While substantial efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of data and associated documentation, complete accuracy of data sets cannot be guaranteed. All data are made available “as is.” The Data User should be aware, however, that data are updated periodically and it is the responsibility of the Data User to check for new versions of the data. The data authors and the repository where these data were obtained shall not be liable for damages resulting from any use or misinterpretation of the data. Thank you.
(Adapted from the LTER Network data access policy.)
