Some recent, isolated incidents in Europe have again highlighted the potential risk of migration of dangerous chemicals from packaging into foodstuffs, and this is an issue that isn't going to go away. Since the level of regulation in this field is already quite extensive, the risks are relatively low - provided they are effectively managed with buy-in throughout the packaging supply chain.

Packaging plays a vital role in the food industry. Simply stated, packaging maintains the benefits of food processing after the process is complete, enabling foods to travel safely for long distances from their point of origin and still be wholesome at the time of consumption. Food packaging can retard product deterioration, retain the beneficial effects of processing, extend shelf-life, and maintain or increase the quality and safety of food. In doing so, packaging provides protection from the three major classes of external influences: chemical, biological and physical.

Packaging development is not necessarily a straightforward process - manufacturers must select a material and design that best satisfies competing needs with regard to product characteristics, marketing considerations and environmental and waste management issues, not to mention cost. Not only is balancing so many factors difficult, but it also requires a different analysis for each product design, considering factors such as the properties of the packaging materials used (including the substrates, adhesives and printing inks), the type of food to be packaged, the intended market for the product and desired product shelf-life.

Inks part of the process
In the recent cases, it has been noted that, in particular, the choice of printing inks should be an integral part of this process and the Printing Inks Council (PIC) of the British Coatings Federation is working hard to ensure that it plays its part, in terms of providing clear information on the suitability and limitations of the inks that are supplied.
The European Printing Inks Association (EuPIA) has its own Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guideline as defined in EU regulations in relation to the production of printing inks for food packaging applications and produces voluntary codes of practice on their use.

Under its GMP guideline, EuPIA is committed to open communication on the use of printing inks in food packaging and advises its member companies to provide specific and detailed information in statements of composition and technical data sheets.

For example, one of the most publicised recent cases in relation to this issue concerned UV-cured inks and coatings containing 4-methylbenzophenone. The European Commission concluded that transfer of 4-methylbenzophenone from the printed packaging into food must not exceed 0.6mg per kg of food, and this can be assured by using an effective functional barrier. It is the responsibility of the business placing the package on the market to ensure that it meets the required performance characteristics.

Under EU regulations, it is the responsibility of all the parties in the supply chain involved in using an ink containing 4-methylbenzophenone that this limit is not breached. One guiding principle of the regulations is that food packaging "should be sufficiently inert to preclude substances being transferred to food in quantities large enough to endanger human health or bring about an unacceptable change in the composition of the food or a deterioration in its organoleptic properties".

Clearly, this is a complex and multiparty concern and so the PIC is working with the British Food and Drink Federation to develop clear processes and best practice guides in relation to the specification of printing inks for food packaging for use by all parties involved in food packaging design, development and production. 

In any reported case of migration, although the print may be the potential original source of the migrating substance, how it is used and under what packaging circumstances determines whether the potential for migration is realised. The process behind the pack development is itself key. To ensure these issues do not continue to arise, the supply chain needs to be fully informed and work together, with every party fully accountable.

Tony Mash is chief executive of the British Coatings Federation