Be alert to UV ink photoinitiator residues and migration

What is a photoinitiator?

Photoinitiator (photoinitiators, PIS) is one of the important components of UV ink. Its main role is to use its photosensitive groups in the absorption of UV light to produce free radicals, cations and other active components, initiate polymerization of functional monomers crosslinking reaction. Photoinitiators can be divided into radical polymerization photoinitiators and cationic polymerization photoinitiators according to different active components.

Hazards of photoinitiator:

During the use of food contact materials, residual photoinitiators may be transferred to food through contact and other means, causing potential harm to human health and sensitization when exposed to skin.

Major events:

In 2005, nestle's recall of infant formula milk in Italy, France, Spain and Portugal was blamed on photoinitiators in the printing ink on the surface of formula milk cartons.

In 2011, Germany announced a recall of frozen vermicelli imported from Belgium, mainly because of contamination of the noodles with benzopzone (BP), which is contained in the printing ink on the packaging.

Which industries need special attention:

Food packaging: migrating to food, Nestle incident and German noodle incident are typical cases.

Baby products: because of the delicate skin of infants and young children, susceptible to the damage of sensitive substances, rapid reaction.

Clothing packaging material: because the packaging material and clothing contact, new clothes try on or new clothes not clean, easy to cause skin allergy.