Inks: the origin of an underestimated problem
As the ban on single-use plastics looms, a study reveals that the printed cardboard packaging that must replace them is even more harmful to the human body.This is a disturbing study revealed by the European Consumer Bureau (BEUC), which brings together more than 40 national associations. After analyzing 76 samples of cardboard or printed or colored paper packaging, it turns out that the inks present "release chemicals into food and ultimately into our body", reports France info. The study covers products such as straws, goblets, rice packaging or other cereals.
And the risks are not entirely harmless. These chemicals are responsible for cancers of the lungs and urinary tract in particular. Stronger regulations on cardboard packaging were already requested by ANSES several years ago, but so far without success.
OSTONE bet on white
A super resistant paper straw is fine, but why not go further by developing a range of paper straws with different patterns and colors printed on the straw? It would still be much more trendy and fun to photograph in an Instagram cocktail. The colored straws would certainly be more aesthetic but more risky for the consumer. OSTONE is aware of the as yet uncontrolled danger with regard to so-called "food safe" inks which ultimately are not and do not exist.OSTONE offers a controlled quality product and choose safety by betting on offering a unique, natural and original color.
Paper straw packaging like no other
You don't always think about it, but the paper straw is in direct contact with the drink in direct contact with the mouth.This contact is far from being comparable to conventional packaging, for example paper boxes, paper cups and other food packaging because indeed, the paper of all these conventional packaging has no printed surface with regard to the zones in direct contact with food or mouth.
For example, you will never find ink on the inside of a paper or cardboard box wrapping a burger.
If we consider a printed paper straw, it becomes much more dangerous, an exchange can take place between the toxic ink particles of the straw and the drink that will be consumed by the customer.
Types of ink security risks
There may be 3 ways that could compromise food safety with packaging ink:Migration - Ink components passing through the substrate
Invisible printing - Transfer of ink components from the printed side to the food side while printing or coiling
Gas phase transfer - Volatile ink substances interact with the air in the package.
Managing and maintaining quality throughout the food production chain is essential for food security.
Ink scandal
Food producers, large and small, cannot afford to ignore anything in the supply of food contact materials, including product packaging.
In 2005, the Swiss-based food giant made the headlines: "The fear of breast milk is growing in Europe". The company has ordered the recall of 30 million liters of baby milk after tests that found a chemical present in the printing ink permeated by the package.
The packaging used a UV curing ink containing a photo initiator, isopropylthioxanthone (ITX), which reacted with the sun's ultraviolet waves, migrating through the packaging to the fatty milk products.
Stay natural with OSTONE
FDA (food safe) inks simply do not exist because it is a case by case analysis.
Food grade inks should be evaluated and tested for each food product, packaging material and consumer use to detect possible interactions. If you really want to have color for your paper straws while keeping the security aspect, this will amount to saying that you should certify for each of your cocktails that the ink has no dangerous interactions with the drink . Concretely this is something that is very complicated.
This is why OSTONE has chosen to keep the natural color of our straw paper, white.
Now you need to choose your straw!
Sources: 20minutes.fr - capital.fr - emballagesmagazine.com - www.foodpackagingforum.org - www.kaocollins.com