Innovia Films has launched its first biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film that has been officially proven to provide up to 1.5 years protection from mineral oil migration – Propafilm RCU.
That extra barrier is important because studies by regulatory bodies such as the UK Food Standards Agency have highlighted that safe levels were frequently exceeded in food packaging samples. According to Innovia, studies done by Dr Koni Grob, from the Food Control Authority of the Canton of Zurich, Switzerland also identified that foods were being contaminated by migration of mineral oil from paper-board packaging.
Innovia developed the new film after a proactive investigation into the mineral oil hydrocarbon (MOH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbon (MOAH) barrier protection of its films. This included the evaluation of films with multiple laydowns, increased coat weights and one side/two side variations.
Traces residues of mineral oil 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 and because these cannot be removed sufficiently during the recycling process, they able to enter cardboard food packaging. 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 tested its films and published the results in a white paper, Mineral Oil Barrier Testing of Cellulose-based and Polypropylene-based films in Packaging Technology & Science last year.
The findings demonstrated that Innovia’s acrylic coated film provides an effective barrier to mineral oil migration. Innovia also identified the optimum coat weight of acrylic required to maximise the barrier protection. This has meant that the development of the new Propafilm RCU has happened quickly.
The film offers several advantages as well as being an excellent barrier. It has superior optical properties and a low sealing threshold and a broader sealing range which makes it ideal for use in a variety of markets – notably biscuits, bakery, confectionery, dried foods, tea and cereals.
"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). Propafilm RCU is ideal for pre-made bags and lamination to other films. This BOPP film offers the market a complimentary alternative to our NatureFlex film that provides up to five years protection," stated Andy Sweetman, marketing manager packaging & sustainability for Innovia Films.
