Verification of Supply Chain Certificate Validity and Scope Schedules
Verify certificate status against public scope schedules to ensure product group codes, grammages, and converting sites explicitly cover every delivered batch.
GC-FID Analysis
Chemical Separation
Analytical chemistry techniques measure the concentration of mineral oil hydrocarbons that migrate from recycled paperboard packaging into food products. Gas chromatography with flame ionization detection, often abbreviated as gc-fid analysis, separates and quantifies mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons. This process governs the quality control of packaging substrates, setting the threshold for acceptable migration levels.
It applies to printed and unprinted paperboard used for dry food contact where no functional barrier is present.
Detection Mechanism
High-temperature extraction dissolves the hydrocarbon compounds from the paperboard fibers before injecting them into the chromatographic column. The compounds are separated based on their boiling points and molecular weights as they flow through the system. Upon exiting the column, the molecules are burned in a hydrogen flame, creating ions that generate an electrical current.
This current is proportional to the carbon mass, allowing technicians to calculate the exact hydrocarbon concentration in milligrams per kilogram of board. Precise calibration is necessary because recycled paperboards often contain a complex mix of inks, adhesives, and coatings that can distort the results, which requires comparison with known baseline reference standards.
Quality Threshold
Paper mills use these findings to refine their sorting processes for recovered paper streams. If hydrocarbon levels exceed safety guidelines, the mill must increase the proportion of virgin pulp or apply a polymer barrier coating. This decision impacts the cost of production but guarantees that the finished folding cartons comply with food safety laws, safeguarding consumer health and preventing regulatory delays.