MM sets a new standard in terms of food safety. Thanks to MM R&D innovation, the topic of mineral oil migration from printing colours via recovered paper has been solved on an industrial basis.
FOODBOARD shields foodstuff against mineral oils
The first priority for cartonboard food packaging is consumer health. Sustainable research and development work as well as the leading work cooperation with legislative bodies and the contribution of MM Karton‘s long-term experience form the basis for the ongoing development of safe cartonboard solutions. The most recent challenges concentrated on preventing newly detected migration of mineral oils. MM Karton has met this challenge from the beginning and achieved now the breakthrough.
With FOODBOARD, MM Karton offers its customers an innovative barrier for mineral oil components, which ensures the safety of food. This is achieved by applying a carefully selected barrier material (an element of the positive list) on the food contact side of the carton board packaging.
The effectiveness of the FOODBOARD barrier has been proven and confirmed by the internationally respected German migration research centre FABES, Munich, headed by Dr. Otto Piringer.
If applied according to its intended use, FOODBOARD ensures that food is safe – no matter in what type of cartonboard packaging (virgin fi bre respectively recycled cartonboard) it is wrapped. More than 99% of mineral oil migration is blocked and is always below the intended safety limits of 0,6mg/kg for MOSH and 0,15mg/kg for MOAH. This value has been included in the 22nd draft to the amendment of the Commodities Regulation (Mineral Oil Regulation) of the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection.
Tests have proven that the new innovative barrier provides also a comprehensive protection against “cross-contamination” from outer and transport packaging. All environmental benefi ts – FOODBOARD is fully recyclable and compostable – and commercial arguments of a recycled paper-based packaging industry will retain entirely and will be expanded beyond the aspect of the functional barrier against mineral oil migration. First industrial productions have been successfully implemented. The engineering is working to capacity and FOODBOARD is just about being patented. The topic of mineral oil migration from packaging to food is thus not only embanked but can be regarded as being solved because of the innovation of Mayr-Melnhof Karton.
Holistic search for a solution
After the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection proclaimed a holistic approach, the efforts of the entire supply chain to contribute to the reduction of migration shows that there is no lack of movement on this volatile issue: On the one hand, publishers rethink the development of mineral oil-free newspaper ink due to the fact that the often used mineral oil-based inks are mentioned as a problem cause. This issue is still in an initial stage. On the other hand, food manufacturers examine the use of inner bags as a suitable barrier. Due to high investment costs in the modifi cation of packaging lines and the requirement of many nutrition goods for an air exchange, this approach is clearly difficult. As almost as impracticable seems to be the possibility of a separate collection of newspapers – acceptance issues in the society and in municipalities are the major reasons. Last but not least, a subsequent sorting of recovered paper is not feasible as an alternative due to high costs and questionable safety.
Especially cartonboard producers achieve first successes: German, Austrian, Dutch and Slovenian manufacturer resign the use of process material containing mineral oil during the board production. Furthermore, special improved recycling cartonboard without grades based on recovered newspaper is offered. The initial uncertainty of food suppliers and retailers has now again given space to a solid optimism.
More information:
www.mm-karton.com