Number 72 July 1995
MAFF UK - CURING AGENTS IN CARTON BOARD FOOD PACKAGING
Index to MAFF UK Food Surveillance Information
Sheets, 1995
See also:
1: MAFF UK - Metallic Compounds
in Plastics (July 1993)
15: MAFF, UK - Hydrocarbons in
Chocolate (October 1993)
25: MAFF,UK - Compositions of Films
used to Wrap Food (February 1994)
26: MAFF, UK - Formaldehyde in Tea
Bag Tissue (May 1994)
35: MAFF, UK - Survey of Benzene in
Food Contact Plastics (September 1994)
38: MAFF, UK - Survey of Styrene in
Food (October 1994)
47: MAFF, UK - Fluorescent Whitening Agents
(January 1995)
59: MAFF, UK - Dioxins in PVC Food
Packaging (April 1995)
60: MAFF, UK - Phthalates in Paper and
Board Packaging (May 1995)
66: MAFF, UK - Grease Proofing Agents in
Paper and Board (June 1995)
90: MAFF, UK - Survey of Paper and
Board Food Contact Materials for Residual Amine Monomers from Wet
Strength Agents (May 1996)
139: MAFF, UK - Survey of
Pentachlorophenol in Paper and Board Packaging used for Retail Foods
(December 1997)
169: MAFF, UK -
Diisopropylnaphthalenes in Food Packaging Made From Recycled Paper and
Board (January 1999)
174: MAFF, UK - Survey of Retail
Paper and Board Food Packaging Materials for Polychlorinated Biphenyls
(PCBs)
189: MAFF UK - Total Diet Study:
Styrene (November 1999)
Summary
The Food Safety Directorate has completed a survey of 102 samples of
carton-board food packaging for 4, 4'-bis(dimethylamino)benzophenone
(Michler's ketone (MK)) and 4,4'-bis(diethylamino)benzophenone (DEAB).
This survey was carried out, as part of MAFF's surveillance programme to
monitor chemical migration from food contact materials, to determine the
concentrations of these substances present in carton-board food packaging
materials.
MK was detected in 29 per cent of the samples at concentrations of 0.1
to 1.6 mg/kg. DEAB was detected in 5 per cent of the samples at
concentrations of 0.2 to 0.7 mg/kg. These concentrations are similar to
those found in an earlier study1
which also showed there was no detectable migration of MK into food.
Therefore, the concentrations of MK present in the samples analysed are
unlikely to pose a risk to human health.
Background
Many chemicals are used in the manufacture of carton-board food
packaging. MAFF carried out a screening exercise of paper and board
materials used in contact with food to identify the substances present
which had the potential to migrate into food1.
4, 4'-bis(dimethylamino)benzophenone (Michler's ketone (MK)) was found to
be present in some of the samples analysed but no detectable migration
into food was measured.
MK and its analogue 4, 4'-bis(diethylamino)benzophenone (DEAB) can be
used in printing systems for carton-board used for food packaging. They
act as curing agents which harden the ink when it is exposed to ultra
violet (UV) light during the printing process. MK is thought to be a
potential carcinogen2
and the UK printing inks industry has voluntarily placed it on a list of
substances that it does not recommend for use in printing inks to be used
for carton-board food packaging3.
DEAB is available as an alternative to MK.
MAFF's Food Safety Directorate has carried out survey of 102 samples of
carton-board used for pre-packaged foods on retail sale in the UK. The aim
of the survey was to determine whether MK and DEAB are present in
carton-board food packaging and the concentrations at which they are
present.
Method
Carton-board samples were extracted with ethanol containing 0.4 per cent
triethylamine. The extracts were analysed using high performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC) and the presence of MK and DEAB confirmed using gas
chromatography coupled to mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The limits of
detection for MK and DEAB in packaging were 0.005 mg/kg and 0.02 mg/kg
respectively . Recoveries for MK ranged from 84 per cent to 136 per cent
with a mean value of 104 per cent, and for DEAB from 92 per cent to 124
per cent with a mean value of 105 per cent. A total of 19 samples were
analysed in duplicate. The variability between duplicate of MK samples was
<25 per cent for 14 samples, <45 per cent for 4 samples and less
than or equal to106 per cent for one sample. This high variability of
concentration is likely to have arisen from heterogeneity of MK in the
packaging.
Results
A summary of the concentrations of MK and DEAB found in the samples of
carton-board is given in Tables 1 and
2.
MK was detected in 30 of the 102 samples at concentrations between 0.1
to 1.6 mg/kg packaging. DEAB was detected in 5 of the 102 samples at
concentrations of 0.2 to 0.7 mg/kg packaging. Over 70 per cent of these
positive samples contained either MK or DEAB below 0.3 mg/kg packaging.
The highest concentrations of MK were found in packaging from chocolate
mini-eggs (1.6 mg/kg packaging) and lasagne verdi (0.7 mg/kg packaging).
Highest concentrations of DEAB were found in the packaging from Yorkshire
pudding (0.7 mg/kg) and parmesan cheese (0.4 mg/kg packaging).
Interpretation
The concentrations of MK found by this survey are similar to those
previously reported1 in Food Surveillance Paper No. 38. That study1
also found there was no detectable migration of MK from the packaging into
the food. The concentrations of MK and DEAB present in samples analysed in
this recent survey are therefore unlikely to pose any risk to human
health. In view of the low levels of curing agents found by this survey,
no further surveillance for these substances is planned.
Contact point
For further information, please contact:
Dr D Watson
MAFF, Joint Food Safety and Standards Group
Additives and Novel Foods Division
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Room 212, Ergon House, c/o Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
Tel: (+44) (0)20 7238 6250
Fax: (+44) (0)20 7238 6124
References
- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1993).
Progress report of the working party on chemical contaminants from food
contact materials: 1988 to 1992. Food Surveillance Paper No. 38.HMSO.
- Kitchin, K. T. and Brown, J. L. (1994)
Dose-response relationship for rat liver DNA damage caused by 49 rodent
carcinogens. Toxicology 88 p 31-49
- Holman, R. and Oldring, P. (1988). UV and EB
formulation for printing inks, coatings and paints. SITA technology, 203
Gardinier House, Broomhill Road, London SW18.
TABLE 1: MICHLER'S KETONE
CONCENTRATIONS FOUND IN PACKAGING |
|
Type of product |
Number of samples |
Number containing MK |
Concentration of MK in packaging (mg/kg)* |
|
Bakery and snacks |
34 |
3 |
0.2 - 1.0 |
|
Cereal and pasta |
24 |
14 |
0.1 - 0.7 |
|
Confectionery |
8 |
2 |
0.3 - 1.6 |
|
Egg and milk |
9 |
4 |
0.5 - 0.7 |
|
Meat and fish |
13 |
2 |
0.2 - 0.3 |
|
Miscellaneous** |
14 |
5 |
0.2 - 0.6 |
Notes:
* There is a 95 per cent certainty that
these values are correct;
Limit of detection 0.005 mg/kg
** This group contains samples of packaging from
artificial sweetener, gravy granules, dried peas, vegetarian burger,
fruits, Bavarian torte and Yorkshire pudding. |
TABLE 2:
4,4'-BIS(DIETHYLAMINO)BENZOPHENONE (DEAB) CONCENTRATIONS FOUND IN
PACKAGING |
|
Type of product |
Number of Samples |
Number containing DEAB |
Concentration of DEAB in packaging (mg/kg)*
|
|
Bakery and snacks |
34 |
1 |
0.2 |
|
Cereal and pasta |
24 |
2 |
0.2 - 0.3 |
|
Confectionery |
8 |
0 |
ND |
|
Egg and milk |
9 |
1 |
0.4 |
|
Meat and fish |
13 |
0 |
ND |
|
Miscellaneous** |
14 |
1 |
0.7 |
|
* There is a 95 per cent certainty that
these values are correct;
Limit of detection 0.02 mg/kg
** This group contains samples of packaging from
artificial sweetener, gravy granules, dried peas, vegetarian burger,
fruits, Bavarian torte and Yorkshire pudding.
ND not detected |
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