FoodWatch’s campaign wants suitable barrier coatings introduced for food packaging to limit the migration of harmful mineral oils into food products.
Mineral oil hydrocarbons come from printing ink used in newsprint, which is commonly used to make recycled cardboard for food packaging. Some studies have linked them to the inflammation of internal organs, including the liver, spleen and lymph nodes.
Earlier last year, Clondalkin Flexible Packaging Wentus, based in Höxter, Germany, announced the development of a new barrier film for dry food products that prevents the migration of potentially harmful mineral oils from the outer packaging into the food .
The multi-layer film can be used as a ‘bag in box’ liner for a wide variety of dry foods, including rice, dry pasta, dry noodles, baby food and cereal products. As well as possessing a high moisture barrier, the Wentopro film provides a barrier against mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons.
“We very much welcome this new campaign from FoodWatch,” says Christian Claes, business development director at Clondalkin. “This is an issue that we have worked hard to address and the Wentopro-barrier film offers food manufacturers reassurance that their products are protected against the migration of these harmful mineral oils.”
Contact: Clondalkin Flexible Packaging