EC sets maximum level for food packaging printed with inks containing 4-Methylbenzophenone or Benzophenone

After the detection of 4-methylbenzophenone in a Belgian chocolate crunch muesli product the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was tasked by the European Commission to undertake a risk assessment. 4-methylbenzophenone is used in printing inks and appears to have migrated into the cereal from external cardboard packaging.

On March 4, EFSA concluded that there was insufficient direct evidence available but that the chemical could be harmful to children if consumed at the highest dosage. Flexnews reports that the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCFCAH) has now set the maximum acceptable level for the chemical.

The spokesperson is quoted as saying: “Food contact materials printed with inks containing 4-Methylbenzophenone or Benzophenone should not be brought in contact with foods unless it is demonstrated in the company's in-house documentation that the transfer into food of the sum of 4-Methylbenzophenone and Benzophenone is below 0.6 mg per kg food.” This can, for example, be ensured by an effective functional barrier made of aluminium or PET/SiOX (or an equivalent layer).

For more information visit the MoniQA nano-food page or go directly to the follwing sources: 

Flex News
http://www.flex-news-food.com/pages/22494/Chemical/European-Commission/Food-Safety/eu-sets-maximum-level-methylbenzophenone-food-packaging.html
EFSA
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902360964.htm