April 2026: New Standards for Milk Analysis and Food Packaging Safety

In April 2026, the food technology sector welcomed two major international standards that raise the bar for product quality and safety. These standards, targeting both dairy analysis and food packaging materials, bring new clarity and guidance for professionals responsible for regulatory compliance and quality assurance. As food manufacturing and packaging evolve in complexity, adhering to up-to-date standards ensures safer products, increased consumer confidence, and access to global markets.

Overview / Introduction

The field of food technology is foundational to ensuring safe, high-quality products reach consumers worldwide. From the chemical composition of dairy products to the migration of substances from packaging, every detail counts. International standards, developed by leading organizations such as ISO and CEN, provide the methodologies and requirements necessary for consistent, reproducible results and regulatory acceptance.

This article introduces two pivotal standards published in April 2026:

• ISO 9877:2026 for determining ash content in milk and dairy products.
• CEN/TS 18244:2026 for assessing the transfer of mineral oil hydrocarbons from food contact materials using recycled pulp.

Readers will discover the core requirements of these standards, learn about their practical implications, and understand how to best achieve compliance in a competitive food technology landscape.

Detailed Standards Coverage

ISO 9877:2026 – Milk and Milk Products — Determination of Ash

Milk and milk products — Determination of ash

ISO 9877:2026 delineates a standardized method for determining the ash content in a wide range of dairy products, including:

• Liquid milk (whole, partially skimmed, or skimmed)
• Milk powder, whey powder, and protein concentrates
• Infant formula
• Milk permeate powder

Scope and Key Requirements: This standard describes the full analytical process—from sampling and preparation to ashing and expression of results. The process involves incinerating a test sample to determine the residual mineral content (ash), which serves as an important indicator of compositional quality and authenticity in dairy.

Key sections include:

• Preparation of test specimens according to product type
• Dish preparation and charring procedures
• Ashing at specified temperatures
• Calculating repeatability and reproducibility metrics

Organizations involved in dairy production, quality control labs, research institutions, and regulatory authorities will need to comply with ISO 9877:2026 to ensure their products meet recognized benchmarks for composition and labeling.

Practical Implications: Implementing this standard allows for consistent, comparable measurement of mineral content across different product types and international markets. This is particularly important for nutritional labeling, verifying product authenticity, and quality assurance programs.

If you previously used outdated or non-standardized methods, note that ISO 9877:2026 offers clarified procedures and improved terms, aligning with current industry best practices and regulatory expectations.

Key highlights:

• Applies to a broad set of dairy products, supporting sector-wide harmonized analysis
• Provides step-by-step methodology for ashing, ensuring reproducible results
• Details on precision help labs benchmark and validate their processes

Access the full standard:View ISO 9877:2026 on iTeh Standards

CEN/TS 18244:2026 – Testing of Paper and Board: Determination of Mineral Oil Hydrocarbon Transfer

Testing of paper and board – Determination of the transfer of mineral oil hydrocarbons from food contact materials containing recycled pulp

The migration of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) from packaging into food is a pressing food safety issue, particularly in products using recycled paper and board. CEN/TS 18244:2026 provides a robust test method for estimating the transfer of these substances—including both mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH)—from food contact materials.

Scope and Key Requirements: This technical specification applies to both recycled and virgin fiber-based papers and boards, making it broadly relevant to packaging manufacturers, converters, and food producers. Its significance is amplified for companies using sustainable materials who must demonstrate barrier efficacy against MOH migration.

Key elements of the method include:

• Use of poly(2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide) (MPPO, e.g., Tenax®) as simulant on the food contact side
• Thermal storage following standardized conditions
• Extraction with n-hexane and analysis via gas chromatography
• Definitions, terms, and recommended reporting practices

Compliance and Target Organizations: Packaging manufacturers, food processors, quality assurance labs, and regulatory agencies can benefit from adopting CEN/TS 18244:2026. It enables consistent evaluation of packaging barrier functionality, supports risk management, and helps meet regulatory food safety obligations.

Practical Implications: Implementing this method allows stakeholders to:

• Evaluate migration potential early in the material or packaging development process
• Compare barrier effectiveness of different technical solutions
• Document compliance for customers and authorities

Food safety officers and packaging engineers should note that the standard supports both finished materials and, with certain restrictions, completed packaging items. It enables science-based risk assessments and consumer-facing assurances on mineral oil hydrocarbon safety.

Key highlights:

• Applicable to both recycled and virgin fiber-based packaging materials
• Provides detailed, validated procedures for assessing MOH migration
• Supports demonstration of functional barrier efficacy in regulatory contexts

Access the full standard:View CEN/TS 18244:2026 on iTeh Standards

Industry Impact & Compliance

Adopting the latest standards in food technology directly influences regulatory compliance, brand reputation, and operational efficiency. For the dairy industry, ISO 9877:2026 harmonizes ash determination, facilitating trade and quality comparisons across borders. In packaging, CEN/TS 18244:2026 addresses evolving concerns about chemical migration—giving manufacturers the tools to minimize food contamination risk from packaging containing recycled pulp.

Compliance Considerations:

• Transitioning to these standards may require updating laboratory methods, staff training, and validations.
• Food producers and packagers should audit their current processes to ensure ongoing compliance.
• Regulatory agencies may incorporate these standards in national or regional legislation, raising the compliance bar for all market participants.

Benefits of Adoption:

• Enhanced product safety and integrity
• Comparable results for international trade and audits
• Improved consumer confidence

Risks of Non-Compliance:

• Product recalls or regulatory non-conformity notices
• Damaged brand and customer trust
• Restricted market access, especially in regions enforcing strict food safety rules

Technical Insights

Common Technical Requirements

Both standards require meticulous sample preparation, strict adherence to methodological steps, and advanced analytical techniques (such as precise weighing, ashing, and gas chromatography). They emphasize:

• Documenting procedures for repeatability and reproducibility
• Detailed reporting requirements for traceability
• Use of specific reagents and reference materials

Implementation Best Practices

• Conduct training sessions for lab staff on the intricacies of new analytical procedures
• Upgrade laboratory equipment if needed for compliance (e.g., controlled temperature ovens for ashing, GC systems for migration analysis)
• Validate methods with intra-lab and inter-lab comparisons, using the precision metrics provided in the standards

Testing and Certification Considerations

• Consider third-party certification of laboratory procedures or supplier materials
• Maintain comprehensive documentation to facilitate audits
• Engage with standardization bodies for updates on technical interpretations or revisions

Conclusion / Next Steps

The April 2026 release of ISO 9877:2026 and CEN/TS 18244:2026 marks a significant stride forward in food technology standards. These new specifications empower dairy producers and packaging manufacturers to adopt global best practices for ash analysis and migration testing, boosting consumer safety and regulatory compliance.

Key takeaways for organizations:

• Review and update laboratory procedures to integrate the latest methodologies
• Train personnel in new quality control requirements
• Engage with industry partners to benchmark compliance
• Regularly monitor iTeh Standards (https://standards.iteh.ai) for the latest releases and updates

Staying current with these standards not only delivers peace of mind for regulators and consumers but also secures your organization’s competitive edge in international markets. Explore the full texts and integrate them into your quality frameworks to build a future-proof food safety and compliance program.