Mineral Oil Analysis in Recycled Fibre Food Packaging
Verify MOSH and MOAH compliance in recycled fibre packaging using accredited HPLC-GC-FID testing, validated functional barriers, and complete declarations of compliance.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Limits
Chemical Regulation
Compliance protocols govern the concentration of harmful hydrocarbons within paperboard substrates intended for sensitive end-use environments. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon limits establish thresholds for substances known to migrate from contaminated recycled pulp into food packaging surfaces. Analytical methods verify that these compounds remain within safety ranges to avoid cross-contamination during transit or storage.
Migration Testing
Laboratories extract surface layers to measure potential transfer rates when materials contact fat-heavy food items under simulated thermal stress. Regulators dictate specific extraction solvents and duration periods to ensure uniformity across different testing facilities. A chromatography scan identifies individual molecules within the sample to determine the mass fraction of heavy ring structures.
High levels of these compounds signal a failure in the sorting process where mineral oils from non-food grade inks contaminate the post-consumer stream.
Production Threshold
Converters manage these chemical levels by implementing strict feedstock selection procedures that exclude heavily inked or laminated waste streams from primary board production. Barrier layers such as mineral oil saturated hydrocarbon functional coatings provide a physical resistance against migration when feedstock purity fluctuates. Such treatments ensure that the final substrate stays compliant even if trace contaminants occur within the internal fibre matrix.
The effectiveness of these measures rests upon the chemical stability of the barrier polymer during the standard shelf life of the package.