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Paper, Board & Tissue Paper

The PAPER sector is specialised in analysing paper and cardboard matrices. Drawing on its deep know-how of paper and cardboard items, Ecol Studio has extended its knowledge to all FCM products. The PAPER sector works in close contact with the Food Contact Materials Sector, performing a wide range of tests that examine the relationship between paper & cardboard and food from all viewpoints.

TESTS

  • Food contact conformity analysis
  • Organoleptic tests
  • Physical characteristcs tests
  • Technological suitability tests
  • Search for toxic and harmful substances
  • Testing of pulpability
  • Adaptability of paper for contact with human skin according to the Sanitary Paper BfR guidelines

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

  • Regulation (EC) 1935/2004,
  • Italian Ministerial Decree 21/03/1973,
  • BfR Recommendations,
  • Decree no. 2007-766 of 10 May 2007 implementing the code of consumption regarding materials and objects intended to come into contact with foodstuffs,
  • Bfr Sanitary Paper,
  • Tissue Ecolabel

EQUIPMENT

  • Gas chromatographs (especially with mass spectrometers of different types),
  • Liquid chromatographs (HPLC/MS Q-TOF),
  • Wood’s lamp
  • Extractors

MOSH&MOAH: mineral oils in food, are you sure of your paper fcm?

Being sure that food contact materials in paper and cardboard comply with current regulations and good manufacturing practices (GMP) is essential.

When dealing with products suitable for contact with foodstuffs, one of the most dangerous contaminations capable of modifying the composition of food and of leading to the deterioration of organoleptic characteristics, is the migration of mineral oils from recycled paper and cardboard: so-called Mosh&Moah.

Mosh&Moah are a highly topical issue, especially in Europe: the mineral oils capable of migrating from recycled paper to food have attracted the attention of many of the key players in the food sector: from EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) to the legislators of single countries, and from manufacturing enterprises to companies, such as Ecol Studio, that deal with testing and that care passionately about their clients and the protection of the final consumer.

These mineral oils – basically hydrocarbons – generally derive from petroleum. They are contained in recycled cardboard, usually found in inks, and are highly contaminating. In fact, lighter hydrocarbons are generally also more toxic because they migrate from the cardboard to the food through air, via simple evaporation. Then, just as easily, they recondense in the food.

There is currently no European regulation that establishes the limits of mineral oils in foodstuffs, just as there are no official analytical methods. However, already in October 2010, the European Commission asked EFSA to assess the risks to human health. Since then, Mosh&Moah have been a current topic which has been discussed from a number of perspectives in order to draw up the necessary regulatory measures. The limits considered as acceptable are always under discussion and the issue is highly confusing and not very coherent: for example, some European countries have introduced laws to establish ink limits while other countries are working to regulate paper and cardboard packaging.

Ecol Studio supports Italian and European companies that wish to quantify Mosh&Moah, by searching for mineral oils in their paper and cardboard FCM (and even in other matrices link to the FCM lab) and also by trying to identify the sources of any contamination.
In line with the corporate mission and at the request of clients, our technicians may also suggest virtuous solutions for the production of compliant and safe articles for the purpose of safeguarding the world and the health of future generations.
The expertise of Ecol Studio’s staff guarantees access to up-to-date knowledge of current and developing regulations , leading to the competitive advantage of becoming familiar with the changes under way to protect brand identity and encourage sustainable business growth in a complex and dynamic context such as paper and cardboard Food Contact Materials.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Purchase of increasingly sophisticated equipment and ongoing staff training in order to set up analytical methods that meet our clients’ needs and the regulatory and scientific developments in the sector.

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