BS EN 1104:2018

What is BS EN 1104 – Antimicrobial food packaging about?  

BS EN 1104 discusses packaging meant for foodstuffs. BS EN 1104 specifies a method for the determination of transfer of antimicrobial constituents from paper and board materials and articles intended for food contact. 

Who is BS EN 1104 – Antimicrobial food packaging for? 

BS EN 1104 on the determination of the transfer of antimicrobial constituents is useful for: 

• Food technologists 
• Packaged food industries  
• Packaging companies 

Why should you use BS EN 1104 – Antimicrobial food packaging?  

Antimicrobials in foodstuffs or food packaging help to preserve food and enhance its shelf life. However, microbial contaminants can still grow inside the packaging if the antimicrobials are not effectively transferred to the foodstuffs. 

The methods provided in BS EN 1104 help you to determine the effectiveness of the antimicrobials. BS EN 1104  also assists you in identifying the presence or development of microbial contaminants at varying conditions and temperatures. This helps you to identify the suitable conditions for storing the foodstuffs that won’t let the microbial contaminants grow and enhance the shelf life of your food products.  

What’s changed since the last update? 

BS EN 1104:2018 supersedes EN 1104:2005. With regards to EN 1104:2005 the following changes have been made in BS EN 1104:2018: 

• The definition of the inhibition zone has been clarified 
• Modified Sabouraud nutrient medium for the preparation of Aspergillus niger spores has been replaced by 4 % Sabouraud 
• Guidelines for interpreting the results in Annex A have been added, including figures: these guidelines are intended to aid the interpretation of results obtained in the framework of application of EN 1104 standard for the various controls performed and for the samples tested 
• Editorial updating