8 replies to this topic

[weaam]

Hello everyone,

we are in the process of implementation of BRCGS Issue 7, we are facing an issue that the supplier of the carboard cores of the reels cannot give us any test results showing the absence of allergens (starch, gluten).

We advice our clients to remove the last few layer that are in contact with the core. We cut and store core in a special room outside the production area.

Is this enough? what can we do more to avoid the risk of allergen from the cores?

Thank you in advance.

[GMO]

Why is the allergen there? Is it there? Have you visited the supplier?

[weaam]

In the process of production of the cores starch could be present unintentionally. 

No it is not there yet put if we want to buy from such suppliers what can we do to eliminate this risk?

[SHQuality]

In the process of production of the cores starch could be present unintentionally. 

No it is not there yet put if we want to buy from such suppliers what can we do to eliminate this risk?

This is the first time I'm hearing of starch being called an allergen.

What is the paper core made of? I can't think of any allergens that would be involved in the production of paper or cardboard.

[weaam]

It is made of recycled paper, but during the process of manufacturing starch is added and gluten could be formed (as per the supplier).

[SHQuality]

So, what kind of starch do they use?

[GMO]

Why would gluten be formed? Is it wheat starch they're using? 

[weaam]

Yes wheat starch 

[jfrey123]

Are you buying the paper cores to use in a film/bag making process of your own?  Or is your bag/film supplier telling you they use paper cores that contain wheat starch for film you purchase?  Have you gotten a paper core tested for presence of wheat allergen or gluten?

 

If you're a film manufacturer, I'd easily look at other paper roll providers who either don't use wheat starch or are willing to certify it poses no allergen risk.  There are too many other real hazards in our day to day to deal with a manufacturer who won't meet modern demands of purity when it comes to allergen controls.

 

And for me, this highlights a hugely under looked risk in packaging, where food allergen containing components are utilized in place of non-food grade toxic components.  In my first job we had pink colored poly drum liners for a specific customer, who gave us documentation that the pink dye in the poly liner was derived from shellfish husks.  Weirdly enough a couple of our auditors actually asked if knew what the dye was derived from, but luckily we had documentation in hand that the dye lacked any shellfish proteins and was sandwiched between two clear inert layers of plastic in the manufacturing process.