On 7 March 2017, the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture published an amendment draft to introduce a limit of 0.5mg/kg for mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbon (MOAH) contact with food materials.

The measure aims to protect consumers from MOAH leaching into foods from packaging made of paper, cardboard or waste paper.

Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are chemical compounds derived mainly from crude oil, but also produced synthetically from coal, natural gas and biomass. MOH can be present in food through environmental contamination, lubricants for machinery used during harvesting and food production, processing aids, food additives and food contact materials. Food grade MOH products are treated in a way that the mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) content is minimised. The migration from food contact materials such as paper and board packaging is suspected to contribute significantly to the total MOH exposure.

On 17 January 2017, the Official Journal of the Europe Union has released Recommendation (EU) 2017/84 on the monitoring of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in food and in materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. The Recommendation requires food operators, manufacturers, processors, distributors and other organizations of FCMs shall take initiative in monitoring the presence of MOAH in food and FCMs. See more specifics EU monitors mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) in foods and food contact materials.

C&K Testing advises businesses should take notice of EU’s monitoring dynamics on MOH in food contact materials. Prompt measures shall be taken to eliminate MOH content to achieve a lower risk of pollution in food contact materials.

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