The testing involved sampling more than 150 different foods packaged in polyethylene, polypropylene and vinyl acetate copolymer plastics films purchasedin the UK. Scientists searched for the slightest trace of chemical contamination by the plastics films used, finding "no evidence of monomer migration from polyethylene or polypropylene". Similarly, vinyl acetate was not detected in any sample.

The testing protocols included deliberately 'spiked', blind tested, foods to ensure absolute accuracy. All the blind tests detected the contaminated sample accurately, yet none of the genuine food tests showed any illegal contamination.

The FSA Report 55/04 can be found at: www.food.gov.uk/science.