Packaging inks that are widely used nowadays may contain harmful chemical that poses an extreme health risk to the human body.
Authorities concerned are advising industry owners to avoid using harmful chemicals especially toluene in the packaging to avert unwanted health risks.
Inks and coatings used in food packaging contain a variety of chemicals, said Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI). The institute has advised using toluene-free safe ink and coating in packaging materials to ensure food products 100 percent healthy and safe.
Speakers informed this during a roundtable discussion organized by Siegwerk Bangladesh Ltd held at a city hotel in the capital on Thursday.
The purpose of the event was to highlight the problems in the field of food security in Bangladesh. Along with this, increasing awareness and emphasis on compliance with BSTI standards regarding the use of printing ink in food packaging.
The session was moderated by Jatin Takkar, Head of Brand Owner Collaboration, India Region, Siegwerk. The roundtable discussed the packaging supply chain, packaging material safety and raising awareness about consumer health protection.
Jatin Takkar said, “In increasing food safety standards, safe food packaging should be prepared with appropriate and safe solvents, pigments and other ingredients. And for that, it is very important to work according to the latest standards of Bangladesh regarding food packaging both from the regulatory and supply chain side.”
A roundtable meeting with partners was also organized in the afternoon on the same day. In this event, local brand owners and converters showcased their various methods of making food packaging safer. The meeting also discussed the impact of packaging ink on food safety, the harmful effects of toluene and Seigwerk’s pioneering role in creating awareness on the issue.
