Food safety limit for toluene & ethylacetate residue in packaging

Dear all...

We are produce seasoning and packed by flexible packaging. This film was printed by our self. during ISO 22000 assessment, the auditor arised 3 minor non conformance, one of these non conformance was : we have to check the toluene residue as the one of printing material (solvent material) in the packaging surface area which direct contact with our product.

So far we already check by using Gas Chromatography (GC) method, but we do not have any references standard regarding safety standard for toluene residue in film packaging.

FYI, the structure of our film packaging: OPP/LDPE/Al Foil/LDPE, which is LDPE was direct contact to product.

Does anybody can help us :

1. References regarding food safety limit of toluene & ethylacetate residue in the packaging surface area
2. references for the GC method to analyze toluene residue in the packaging surface area


thanks in advance,
regards

We are produce seasoning and packed by flexible packaging. This film was printed by our self. during ISO 22000 assessment, the auditor arised 3 minor non conformance, one of these non conformance was : we have to check the toluene residue as the one of printing material (solvent material) in the packaging surface area which direct contact with our product.

So far we already check by using Gas Chromatography (GC) method, but we do not have any references standard regarding safety standard for toluene residue in film packaging.

FYI, the structure of our film packaging: OPP/LDPE/Al Foil/LDPE, which is LDPE was direct contact to product.

Does anybody can help us :

1. References regarding food safety limit of toluene & ethylacetate residue in the packaging surface area
2. references for the GC method to analyze toluene residue in the packaging surface area


thanks in advance,
regards

Here is a document that lists the Safe Migration Limits (SML’s) for substances listed in European Union directives on plastics in contact with food. It includes Toluene.

http://ec.europa.eu/...bstances_en.pdf

I don't know about requirements in other regions.

I'm guessing you don't print on the food contact side, so was the auditor concerned about uncured or wet ink transferring during wind up of the reel? If produced on the reel?

Here is some more relevant EU Legislation. Especially check Regulation (EC) No.2023/2006 on good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

http://ec.europa.eu/...isl_list_en.htm

Regards,
Simon

Dear Simon,

many thanks for the references. sorry just get back because we were very busy to prepare the final assesment of ISO 22000, and finally we had recommended to obtain ISO 22000 certification at the end of march.

regards
aphro

Dear Simon,

many thanks for the references. sorry just get back because we were very busy to prepare the final assesment of ISO 22000, and finally we had recommended to obtain ISO 22000 certification at the end of march.

regards
aphro

Great news Aphro, well done.

Simon