Innovia Films has launched its first BOPP film that has been
officially proven to provide up to 1.5 years protection from mineral oil
migration - PropafilmT RCU.
Its development has been the result of proactive
investigation into the mineral oil hydrocarbon (MOH) and mineral oil aromatic
hydrocarbon (MOAH) barrier protection of their films. It included the evaluation of films with
multiple laydowns, increased coat weights and one side/two side variations.
This work commenced after earlier studies(1) by Dr Koni
Grob, from the official Food Control Authority of the Canton of Zurich,
Switzerland identified that foods were being contaminated by migration of
mineral oil from paper-board packaging.
Further studies by the UK Food Standards Agency(2) highlighted that safe
levels were frequently exceeded in food packaging samples that were tested.
Traces of mineral oil residues in food are thought to arise
due to their migration from the printing inks present both on the packaging
surface and in recycled newspapers, used in the production of cardboard
packaging. Most commonly used newspaper
inks contain mineral oils. These cannot
be removed sufficiently during the recycling process and are thus able to enter
cardboard food packaging. Even at room
temperature these residues can migrate and be deposited on dried foods packaged
in the box, such as pasta, rice, breakfast cereals and biscuits. MOAH are suspected of being carcinogens,
according to the World Health Organization's Joint Expert Committee on Food
Additives (JECFA), and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Innovia Films research results were published in a peer
reviewed white paper : 'Mineral Oil Barrier Testing of Cellulose-based and
Polypropylene-based films', G. O'Connor, N. Hudson and S. Buckley, Packaging
Technology & Science, DOI: 10.1002 /pts. 2082, Copyright (2014), John
Wiley & Sons Ltd. Published online in Wiley Online Library.
The findings proved that their proprietary acrylic coated
film provides an effective barrier to mineral oil migration. Further analysis identified the optimum coat
weight of acrylic required to maximise the barrier protection. This has meant
that the development of PropafilmT RCU has been fairly rapid.
The film, besides offering excellent barrier, has superior
optical properties, a low sealing threshold and a broader sealing range which
makes it ideal for use in a variety of markets (biscuits, bakery,
confectionery, dried foods, tea and cereals).
Andy Sweetman, Marketing Manager Packaging &
Sustainability for Innovia Films enthused, "It is exciting to be able to
offer the market a cost effective versatile film that ensures proven protection
for dried foods. It is printable and can
be used on a range of machines, including vertical and horizontal
form-fill-seal (VFFS/HFFS). PropafilmT
RCU is ideal for pre-made bags and lamination to other films. This BOPP film
offers the market a complimentary alternative to our NatureFlexT film that
provides up to five years protection. It
means we have a product to meet a wide range of shelf life requirements."
