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Newswise — Recycled paper and cardboard are increasingly being used in food packaging as part of global sustainability initiatives. However, these materials may carry hidden dangers in the form of toxic metals, often originating from inks, adhesives, or processing aids. These metals can leach into food, potentially leading to serious health conditions such as cancer, neurological disorders, and metabolic diseases. While the European Union has set regulations for contaminants in plastic food packaging, paper packaging lacks standardized safety protocols. Previous studies have found metals like chromium and mercury in recycled paper food contact materials (FCMs), but the risks posed by metal migration remain underexplored. This knowledge gap underscores the critical need for comprehensive research into the safety of recycled paper packaging.

The , published on January 11, 2025, in , was conducted by researchers from Maastricht University and the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). They explored the migration of toxic metals from recycled paper FCMs using various food simulants, such as acetic acid and ethanol. The results were concerning: the levels of aluminum, lead, and other metals frequently exceeded regulatory limits, raising questions about the adequacy of current safety assessments.

The study's key findings revealed significant variations in toxic metal migration depending on food simulant type and packaging composition, with acidic conditions proving most problematic. Using four food simulants - 3% acetic acid (for acidic foods), 10% and 50% ethanol (for aqueous and fatty foods), and Tenax (for dry foods) - researchers discovered that 3% acetic acid extracted alarmingly high levels of metals, including lead at 34.83 mg/kg and aluminum reaching 10 g/kg, concentrations that dramatically exceeded Dutch safety limits by factors of 8,000 to 10,000. While ethanol-based simulants showed moderate migration activity, dry food conditions demonstrated minimal metal release, suggesting packaged dry goods like bread pose lower risks. A critical discovery was that conventional exhaustive extraction methods consistently underestimated metal levels compared to migration tests, indicating real-world exposure may be substantially higher than current testing predicts. Particularly concerning was the detection of unregulated metals like uranium and cobalt at potentially hazardous levels, highlighting regulatory gaps. The research underscores how food acidity and packaging composition critically influence metal migration patterns, with acidic food products (such as juices and vinegar-based foods) showing the highest risk of contamination from recycled paper packaging. These findings challenge assumptions about the safety of recycled paper food contact materials and emphasize the need for more rigorous, condition-specific testing protocols.

Dr. Athanasios Kourkopoulos, lead author of the study, stated: "Our findings reveal that recycled paper packaging is not as inert as assumed. The high migration of toxic metals, especially under acidic conditions, demands immediate regulatory attention. Harmonized safety standards and improved testing methods are essential to protect public health."

The study urges policymakers to establish EU-wide migration limits for toxic metals in paper packaging, mirroring existing plastic regulations. Manufacturers should prioritize alternative materials or coatings to reduce metal leaching, particularly for acidic or fatty foods. Consumers may consider avoiding recycled paper packaging for such products until safer solutions emerge. This research also advocates for advanced testing protocols that better simulate real-world conditions, ensuring accurate risk assessments. Ultimately, balancing sustainability with safety will be key to the future of food packaging.

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Funding information

This work was funded by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands with funding number 1400011703.

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(FQS) is an open access, international, peer-reviewed journal providing a platform to highlight emerging and innovative science and technology in the agro-food field, publishing up-to-date research in the areas of food quality, food safety, food nutrition and human health. It is covered by SCI-E and the 2023 Impact Factor (IF)=3.0, 5-yr IF=4.7.