Toluene has been a controversial substance for a long time. It is categorized as CMR 2 (where CMR stands for carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic), and is suspected of damaging the unborn child. In addition, toluene can adversely affect the flavor of food.
It is being used as solvent in printing inks, including those for food packaging materials. Several countries have banned the substance for use in printing ink for food contact materials (FCM). Looking at the work of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), it is very likely that India will implement this restriction, too. BIS is working to update its current standard IS 15495 “Printing Ink for Food Packaging – Code of Practise”.
According to some sources, the vast majority of Indian companies in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) segment still use toluene-containing printing inks. Since studies have demonstrated that toluene can migrate between layers of packaging materials, BIS is working on an update of its standard to ban the substance. The standard is likely to be published either in January or July 2019. Afterward, there will be a six months “honeymoon” period until the standard enters into force.
Many of the multinational food manufacturers, including Nestlé, General Mills and Ferrero have already either completely banned or restricted the use of toluene in printing ink for FCM. Nestlé produced a seven-page “Nestlé Guidance Note on Packaging Inks” where toluene is listed among those solvents that “must not be intentionally used in the ink formulation.”
If BIS adjust its standard IS 15495 to formally exclude toluene from printing ink, other food manufacturers in India will have to follow Nestle’s example and adjust their specifications for suppliers of packaging materials.
Phasing out toluene will not happen in an instant, but it is a step in the right direction. The group that will ultimately benefit the most are the workers in printing companies as their occupational exposure to toluene will be significantly reduced, while the risk to consumers is small in comparison. And last but not least, the environment will benefit too.
