Chloropropanols in Food Contact Materials – Risks and Analysis

Dangers Posed by Wet-Strength Agents in Paper Manufacturing

With the increasing use of paper-based packaging as a sustainable alternative to plastics, the need to monitor potential contaminants in these materials is growing as well. One problematic group of substances is chloropropanols, particularly 3-monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD) and 1,3-dichloropropanol (1,3-DCP). These compounds can be formed through the use of wet-strength agents in paper manufacturing and may migrate into food. Since 1,3-DCP is considered genotoxic and 3-MCPD is classified as carcinogenic above certain levels, precise analytics is essential to protect consumers.

What Are Chloropropanols and How Do They Form?

Chloropropanols are chemical compounds that form through the hydrolysis of epichlorohydrin-containing wet-strength agents during paper production. These agents ensure that paper fibers do not disintegrate when the material comes into contact with moist or liquid foods. However, as the trend to reduce plastic packaging continues, more single-use plastic items are being replaced by paper-based alternatives, which in turn increases the risk of chloropropanol contamination.

In Which Products Can Chloropropanols Be Found?

This issue affects all heavily wet-strengthened paper products, especially those intended for direct food contact. These include:

• Kitchen paper rolls
• Filter papers (e.g., for coffee or tea)
• Paper straws
• Baking papers
• Food packaging made of paper or cardboard

Since these products are regularly in direct contact with food, the water-soluble chloropropanols can transfer into the food, posing a potential health risk.

Why Are Chloropropanols Problematic?

Chloropropanols are unwanted contaminants that can migrate from food contact materials into the product. The two main compounds, 3-MCPD and 1,3-DCP, carry different risks:

3-MCPD:

• Classified as carcinogenic in high amounts.
• Can cause kidney damage and reproductive disorders in animal studies.
• A legal limit for food is established in the EU for various products.

1,3-DCP:

• Considered genotoxic, meaning it damages genetic material.
• Even the smallest amounts in food are undesirable.
• There is zero tolerance for this substance in food contact materials.

Due to these health risks, chloropropanols in food contact materials should be minimized as much as technically possible.

Why Should Companies Have Chloropropanols Analyzed?

Since chloropropanols can migrate from paper products into food, regular analysis is essential to comply with legal requirements and ensure consumer protection. This is particularly important for manufacturers of:

✔ Paper packaging for food
✔ Bakery products in contact with baking paper
✔ Filter papers for tea and coffee
✔ Paper tubes and straws

The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) has set limits for chloropropanols in Recommendation XXXVI for “Papers, Cartons, and Cardboard for Food Contact”:

• 3-MCPD: Should be as low as technically possible in the cold water extract – the reference value is 12 µg/L.
• 1,3-DCP: Should not be detectable (detection limit 2 µg/L).

Food manufacturers, packaging producers, and retailers should have their products regularly tested to meet these requirements.

How Does GALAB Analyze Chloropropanols?

GALAB offers highly precise and reliable analysis for chloropropanols in food contact materials. The examination is carried out using:

✔ Cold water extract analysis according to DIN EN 645
✔ Hot water extract analysis according to DIN EN 647

These methods allow for a detailed determination of chloropropanols in paper, cardboard, and other fiber-based food contact materials.

Our Advantages:

🔹 Modern, accredited analytical methods for high precision
🔹 Fast and reliable test results for manufacturers and quality managers

Through our analytical services, companies can ensure that their packaging materials comply with legal requirements and that no unwanted contaminants migrate into food.