Recycled board used in cartons for some dry foodstuffs can contain mineral oil residues from inks used in newspaper printing that could migrate into the food itself and pose a human health risk, a Swiss laboratory has shown.
Animal studies indicate that mineral oil mixtures are stored in the body and can result in damage in the liver, heart valves and lymph nodes.
Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has suggested three possible actions to minimise the potential migration of mineral oils from recycled board to packaged food: using inner bags to prevent substance migration from cardboard boxes; using board made from virgin fibres; or changing the composition of newspaper printing inks.
According to the paper industry, the Swiss lab used a new method to find substances that were previously undetected by processes employed by the regulators and industry to limit levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Up to now, paper and board manufacturers have recorded PAHs at very low levels in their materials, it says.
The BfR is trying to verify the latest findings and preparing to issue an amendment to its recently updated recommendation for paper and board in contact with food – known as BfR Recommendation 36. BfR is widely considered to be a European benchmark.
“The paper industry is working closely together with all relevant authorities and stakeholders along the value chain, which includes printing ink makers, the printing and publishing industries, the packaging industry, and the food industry and retail sector,” says Teresa Presas, managing director of the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI), adding, “We are all working hard to find the best solution for this concern.”
The paper industry advocates an eco-design approach whereby all inks contain components known and documented to be safe. It says it knew already about the possible presence of mineral oils in recycled paper, and has testing methods and safety limits for those substances, which are ‘rigorously’ complied to. CEPI adds that no risk for consumers has been discovered, so far.
The development arises from the use of ‘a new and not yet verified’ analytical technique, which has produced results that differ from existing test results and expert knowledge on the subject. CEPI continues: ‘The significance of the new results is being investigated as a matter of priority by the paper manufacturers and relevant industry sectors. The verification of the analytical methods will be studied and, if necessary, new safety limits will be proposed’.
CEPI understands that there are safe ink substitutes and is promoting their use. It also urges ink suppliers to provide transparent information about the safety of ink formulations when human health is a factor. Recycled board used in cartons for some dry foodstuffs can contain mineral oil residues from inks used in newspaper printing that could migrate into the food itself and pose a human health risk, a Swiss laboratory has shown.
Animal studies indicate that mineral oil mixtures are stored in the body and can result in damage in the liver, heart valves and lymph nodes.
Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has suggested three possible actions to minimise the potential migration of mineral oils from recycled board to packaged food: using inner bags to prevent substance migration from cardboard boxes; using board made from virgin fibres; or changing the composition of newspaper printing inks.
According to the paper industry, the Swiss lab used a new method to find substances that were previously undetected by processes employed by the regulators and industry to limit levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Up to now, paper and board manufacturers have recorded PAHs at very low levels in their materials, it says.
The BfR is trying to verify the latest findings and preparing to issue an amendment to its recently updated recommendation for paper and board in contact with food – known as BfR Recommendation 36. BfR is widely considered to be a European benchmark.
“The paper industry is working closely together with all relevant authorities and stakeholders along the value chain, which includes printing ink makers, the printing and publishing industries, the packaging industry, and the food industry and retail sector,” says Teresa Presas, managing director of the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI), adding, “We are all working hard to find the best solution for this concern.”
The paper industry advocates an eco-design approach whereby all inks contain components known and documented to be safe. It says it knew already about the possible presence of mineral oils in recycled paper, and has testing methods and safety limits for those substances, which are ‘rigorously’ complied to. CEPI adds that no risk for consumers has been discovered, so far.
The development arises from the use of ‘a new and not yet verified’ analytical technique, which has produced results that differ from existing test results and expert knowledge on the subject. CEPI continues: ‘The significance of the new results is being investigated as a matter of priority by the paper manufacturers and relevant industry sectors. The verification of the analytical methods will be studied and, if necessary, new safety limits will be proposed’.
CEPI understands that there are safe ink substitutes and is promoting their use. It also urges ink suppliers to provide transparent information about the safety of ink formulations when human health is a factor.
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