This study describes the use of the GERSTEL MultiPurpose Sampler (MPS) fitted with a Thermal Desorption Unit (TDU) and a Cooled Injection System (CIS 4) PTV-type Inlet for the automated direct thermal extraction analysis of packaging for three different brands of crème-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, cheese-filled sandwich crackers and soft and chewy candy.

Knowledge about packaging/product interaction is of great interest to food manufacturers in order to control product quality over the course of its shelf-life. Scalping is the loss of components from a product to its packaging. Migration is the transfer of unwanted compounds from the packaging to the food product. Both processes are undesirable and can cause off odors or off flavors in a product. In order to assess or determine the potential for migration, packaging material can be analyzed directly using direct thermal extraction (DTE)