Recycled Food Packaging May Pose Health Risks

European food manufacturers are considering changes to food packaging after Swiss researchers announced that mineral oils found in recycled food containers may pose health risks. Mineral oils are liquid by-products of petroleum processing and are commonly used in newspaper ink. Newspapers are often recycled to make packages for dry food products such as cereal, rice, pasta, and those oils could easily get absorbed into foods unless a protective barrier – thick plastic bags or aluminum foil – is in place. The concern with mineral oil is that excessive exposure has been associated with inflammation of internal organs and cancer in laboratory animals. According to a spokesperson from the Food Safety Laboratory of Switzerland, "One meal has no real effect on health. It is a matter of long-term exposure." As reported by the BBC, British-based cereal marker Jordans has stopped using recycled cardboard, and other manufacturers are moving to packaging that doesn't contain recycled newspaper. Health Canada packaging guidelines already demand vegetable-based inks in food packaging. According to the BBC, the Kellogg's and Weetabix companies are taking steps to reduce the amount of mineral oil in their packaging. [via CBC and BBC]

Thanks to Kosmix Corporation / RightHealth