Atlantic Rowing Team’s 31-Day Crossing Highlights Food Packaging Safety Under Extreme Conditions

BAAR, Switzerland — The Swiss rowing team 44west worked with SGS, a food safety testing, inspection and certification company, to verify the safety and compliance of food packaging used during the World’s Toughest Row – Atlantic, a 3,000-mile race across the Atlantic Ocean that attracts teams from all over the world.

During an unsupported crossing where resupply was impossible, the reliability of packaged nutrition became a critical factor in ensuring crew health and performance.

Over 31 days at sea between La Gomera and Antigua, the four-person team faced high humidity, salt exposure, constant motion and significant temperature fluctuations. Under such conditions, food packaging must do more than preserve freshness. It must prevent contamination and limit the migration of chemical substances that could compromise safety.

To address these risks, 44west sought independent testing to assess whether its protein powder containers and related packaging could withstand extended exposure to a harsh marine environment.

Using specialized food contact material testing, SGS confirmed the team’s nutrition would remain protected, compliant and safe under conditions far beyond standard product use. Testing was performed under European Union regulatory frameworks, including Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 and Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011, along with requirements under REACH and the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation. Enhanced stress simulations replicated the environmental pressures expected during the Atlantic crossing.

Laboratory analysis evaluated overall and specific chemical migration, including heavy metals, primary aromatic amines, PET‑related monomers, regulated bisphenols and per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). All materials tested complied with EU food contact requirements and remained suitable for prolonged use at sea. No detectable heavy metals, PAAs or PFAS were observed, and bisphenol levels met upcoming regulatory limits entering into force in 2026.

44west ultimately completed the crossing and secured a first-place finish.

The case highlights how food contact materials may perform differently outside typical use conditions, raising considerations for QA teams validating packaging in high-stress or nontraditional environments.