Clondalkin Flexible Packaging Wentus, based in Höxter, Germany, has developed a unique new barrier film for dry food products, particularly cereals, that prevents the migration of potentially harmful mineral oils from the outer packaging into the food itself.  The new WENTOPRO®-barrier film is the result of 18 months R&D and is a very important new development for the food packaging industry.

The multi-layer film can be used as a ‘bag in box’ liner for a wide variety of dry foods, including rice, dry pasta, dry noodles, baby food and cereal products.  As well as possessing a high moisture barrier, the WENTOPRO® film provides a barrier against mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH).  The German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (Bundesministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz - BMELV) recommends that migration of MOSH should not exceed 2 mg/kg and MOAH levels should be no higher than 0.5mg/kg.  The new Clondalkin film offers protection far greater than this, with typical values less than 0.2mg/kg for both.  

Mineral oil hydrocarbons derive from printing ink used in newsprint, which is commonly used to make recycled cardboard for food packaging.  Some recent studies have linked these mineral oils to the inflammation of internal organs, including the liver, spleen and lymph nodes.  

Christian Claes, Business Development Director at Clondalkin Flexible Packaging Wentus, comments: “The development of the WENTOPRO®-barrier film is an important advance for the food packaging industry.  The subject of mineral hydrocarbon exposure through food and the potential consumer health risks of this is a hot topic at the moment.  Our protective film offers food manufacturers protection and reassurance that their products carry very limited risk of any such contamination.

“We have created two different variants of the film: WSL 343040, which protects against MOSH and MOAH and WSL 143031, which offers additional protection, not just against mineral oils, but also against UV photoinitiator exposure, used in curing inks on cardboard and food labels.  The migration of these UV photoinitiators into food has also been the subject of recent scientific debate, therefore the WENTOPRO®-barrier film WSL 143031 offers double protection against both types of chemical.”

Both products (WSL 143031 and WSL 143040) are available in two colours, translucent and white.  They also offer a high barrier against water vapour, excellent strength and sealing properties and are compatible with different types of sealing machine.

 

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