Food Standards Agency
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A survey of whether two chemicals used in packaging inks are getting into food has been published by the Agency today. None of the results are a worry for people's health.
The survey tested foods for two chemicals: benzophenone and 4-hydroxybenzophenone, which may get into food from printed packaging. The survey looked at foods that had been packed in printed packaging in direct contact with food and printed outer packaging, such as a box or carton.
The chemicals may be present in both types of packaging as a result of the printing process used.
The survey had two phases. In the first, 350 foodstuffs were tested that had been wrapped directly or indirectly in printed paper or board, or in packaging to which a printed sticky label was attached. In the second phase, 115 foodstuffs packaged in printed plastic were tested.
Back to topThe chemical 4-hydroxybenzophenone was not confirmed in any of the food samples tested. Benzophenone was confirmed in 61 (17%) of the 350 samples tested in the first phase. However, the levels found do not pose a health concern.
There was little evidence of benzophenone in foods to which a printed label had been attached to the primary packaging. There was some evidence that particular foods and printed packaging formats, together with storage conditions, may be associated with the likelihood of the chemical getting into food, particularly frozen food. The Agency is to meet and discuss the findings with frozen food manufacturers and packers to help minimise the risk of chemicals getting into food from printed packaging.
All samples tested in phase two complied with the packaging regulations. The presence of benzophenone was confirmed in four of the 115 samples packaged in printed plastic. The maximum level found was 0.15 mg/kg (one quarter of the specific migration limit permitted).
Back to topBenzophenone is a chemical that is sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light is used to toughen the coating of and seal, or 'cure', the inks and lacquers that are traditionally used in lithographic and letterpress printing processes. Benzophenone may be in cartonboard food packaging materials as a residue from UV-cured inks and lacquers used to print on the packaging.
Benzophenone may also be present in printed secondary packaging, such as corrugated board, and sometimes in recycled printed paper or board. It has been shown that benzophenone may migrate from such secondary packaging, through the packaging layer in direct contact with food, into the food itself. UV inks have also been reported to be used to print on labels.
4-Hydroxybenzophenone may be used in the same way as benzophone and is sold as an additive for UV coatings.
The testing process means that initial results are checked rigorously. Therefore any apparent trace of a chemical found in initial testing may or may not be �confirmed� by later stages of the process.
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