Finland-based Walki has come up with Mineral Oil Safe Technology (MOST), an extrusion coating touted to keep mineral oil at bay in food packaging.
The Walki Pack MOST is a polymer laminate packaging product that acts as a barrier to mineral-oil contamination.
Apart from keeping away grease and water, the glueable, sealable and recyclable material plays the role of a secure polymer barrier to other substances, such as, Benzophenone, Bisphenol A, DIPN and softeners.
The presence of mineral oils – MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbon) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbon) – which are said to be unsafe for human consumption, are used in industrial inks. They could also be spotted in printing dyes for packaging materials.
Walki business development vice-president Mirka Nevala said: "Mineral oil contains MOAH, which is especially harmful to humans because our systems can’t break it down. It accumulates inside our bodies when we eat food that contains MOAH."
Citing a study published by Dr Koni Grob et al. and Swiss Official Food Control Authority, the company said dry food shows a risk of mineral oil contamination from recycled fiber-based packaging materials.
Walki’s Barrier Board products technical service and development manager Stefan Erdmann said: "This product will enable the food-packing industry to solve the growing issue of contaminated food.
"Food companies and brand owners who adopt mineral oil safe packaging materials are demonstrating their commitment to delivering safer food products to the marketplace."
Walki Group makes technical laminates and protective packaging materials, having its forte in fiber based, intelligent, multilaminate products.