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Why is it important to have packaging with superior product protection?
November 17, 2020

Why is it important to have packaging with superior product protection?

EXTENDO® and NATIVIA® are Ti's Solutions against Mineral Oils
A recent draft by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) to update the German Consumer Goods Ordinance is raising new attention to the contamination of food by mineral oils migrating from food contact materials (FCMs) made with recycled or waste paper. 
 
Mineral oils are usually distinguished in saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). Some short-chain molecules of the MOSH fraction are known to accumulate in different organs of the body which poses a threat to our health and is potentially harmful. Nonetheless, the new draft Ordinance gives particular concern to MOAH, due to their possible carcinogenic effect raised by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). 
 
The draft ordinance aims to set an obligation to the use of a functional barrier in FCMs made of recycled or waste paper in order to keep migration of MOAH below the detection limits of 0.5 mg MOAH/ kg of food or 0.15 mg MOAH/kg of food simulant. To be exempted from this obligation, food business operators must ensure that MOAH transfer is below the aforementioned limits or, alternatively, manufacturers/distributor of the FCM must take other measures/requirements to ensure that no MOAH are transferred from the FCM to food. This would essentially represent a limit to the use of recycled or wastepaper in favour of virgin fibres which, nonetheless, still do not provide any barrier to mineral oil migration from other sources.
 
At Taghleef, we offer solutions such as EXTENDO® and NATIVIA® films that provide high functional barrier against MOSH and MOAH, proven by the Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (IVV) in Germany. These films can be used as Monoweb solutions or in lamination with other substrates, thus allowing the use of recycled or wastepaper as secondary packaging (e.g. trays, carton boxes) or as lamination substrate. 
 
It is then essential to use packaging materials that not only meet their primary function but also solutions that provide barrier against harmful compounds and ensure superior food protection.
    
Click on the below video to know more about MOSH/MOAH migration into food, its potential risk factors, and how Ti can be a part of your solution: