Food packaging printing is a far more critical field from health and safety perspectives than other printing applications. The ink on the packaging may come into direct or indirect contact with food products. Therefore, the inks used must comply with strict legal and technical standards. International and national legislation determine which chemicals can be used in food packaging, at what levels they are safe, and what testing procedures must be applied. In this article, we will provide comprehensive information on safe ink selection and application for food packaging printing.

01Ink Regulations in Food Packaging

The European Union has established strict regulations for inks used in food packaging. EU Regulation 10/2011 regulates materials that come into contact with plastics, while EU Regulation 1935/2004 regulates all materials in general contact with food. In Turkey, the Food Establishment Regulations and TSE Food Packaging Standards provide guidance in this area. In the USA, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) controls the safety of food contact materials. All these regulations require strict testing and certification regarding the inks and dyes used.

Legal non-compliance in food packaging can lead to product recalls, legal penalties, and loss of brand reputation. Correct ink selection eliminates these risks by 99%.

02Food Packaging Standards: EN 71-3, EU 10/2011, and ISEGA

The EN 71-3 standard specifically controls paints and inks used in materials in contact with children's toys. This standard sets limits on certain heavy metal levels (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.). EU 10/2011 defines specific migration limits (Overall Migration Limit - OML) for plastic food contact materials. OML restricts total organic inorganic compound migration to 10 mg/dm2. ISEGA (Internationales Siegel für die Eignung von Gummi und Kunststoff im Lebensmittelkontakt) certification is an international document provided by independent laboratories, proving food contact suitability. Inks used in food packaging must be tested according to these standards and obtain certification.

03Inks and Migration Testing

When food packaging comes into contact with ink, certain chemicals from the ink can migrate to the food. To control this migration, standardized test methods are applied. These tests, called "Determinate Migration Test" or "Overall Migration Test," use specific solvents (water, acid, oil, etc.) to control ink stabilization. Test results are compared with normative levels. For example, according to EU 10/2011, a printing material with potential direct contact with food must not exceed an OML value of 10 mg/dm2. After passing these tests, inks are certified as suitable for food packaging.

04Ink Types Used in Food Packaging

Ink types used in food packaging printing must be subject to specific formulations and test results. UV inks are commonly used in food packaging because rapid curing minimizes ink-food contact. Solvent-based inks can be used in a controlled manner but VOC levels must be limited. Water-based inks may be preferred as an eco-friendly option. Aqueous dispersion inks are commonly used on plastic and metal packaging. Each ink type should be selected and tested for different substrate types (paper, cardboard, plastic, metal).

Inks applied to the inner surface of food packaging (directly contacting food) must comply with stricter standards than those applied to outer surfaces. Inner surface inks must undergo specific test protocols and enhanced migration analysis.

05SAKATA INX and DEERS Food Packaging Inks

SAKATA INX offers ink series specially formulated for use in food packaging printing. These inks are certified to EU 10/2011, FDA, and TSE standards. In particular, SAKATA INX Food Contact Ink series has tested formulations that do not exceed specified migration limits. DEERS (DAIHAN) brand also offers food packaging compatible ink varieties. These inks have been successfully applied to plastic, cardboard, and metal packaging. Each product comes with detailed technical data; safety and compliance information is included in technical files provided to customers.

06Testing Procedures and Certification

Testing procedures for food packaging inks are a multi-stage and detailed process. First, ink components are analyzed and safety data is collected for each component. In the second phase, the ink is exposed to food simulants (water, acid, oil). In the third phase, migration tests are conducted and results are analyzed. In the fourth phase, results are compared with normative limits. In the final phase, certification is issued. Laboratories authorized to conduct these tests include international organizations like TÜV, SGS, or national testing laboratories. Certification proves ink quality and safety.

07Color Printing in Food Packaging and Pigments

When printing colors on food packaging, ensure that the pigments and dyes used do not contain heavy metals. Some pigments may historically contain lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals. Modern food packaging compatible inks are free from these toxic materials. For example, yellow and red pigments are particularly categories that should be controlled, as traditional formulations may contain mercury or lead. High-quality, certified pigments should be used in food packaging. EVAcolor metallic inks can also be safely used in food packaging (provided appropriate certification has been obtained). These inks provide aesthetic appearance while meeting safety standards.

95% of inks used in food packaging should be certified to EU standards. Printing with non-compliant inks can lead to product recalls and serious penalties.

08Practical Tips for Ink Selection in Food Packaging

When printing food packaging, the first and most important step is to ask the ink supplier about food packaging suitability. The supplier should provide the product certification file. The documents should contain test results, migration analysis, and legal compliance declarations. The second step is substrate selection. Plastic, cardboard, metal, or combination packaging may each require different ink properties. The third step is printing technology selection. Flexo, offset, gravure, or digital printing require different ink formulations. The final step is the curing procedure. Especially UV inks must cure completely; solvent-based inks must be allowed adequate time.

SIM Printing Supplies is the Turkish distributor of fully certified food packaging suitable inks. SAKATA INX and DEERS food packaging inks fully comply with EU and Turkish legislation. Our technical team evaluates your food packaging project requirements and provides the most suitable ink solution. For food safety questions, our expert consultants provide 24-hour support.

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