Ink Dispensing Systems – GSE

Safety First

Hazard analysis and risk management in packaging printing is essential in today’s market, especially when it comes to inks.

 We are all aware of the importance of packaging and how it helps to differentiate products in a crowded marketplace. But, more than the shelf stand out, it also needs to protect the contents, and perhaps more importantly, ensure that it creates no harm to the consumer when he buys that product.

This is why hazard analysis and risk management for food safety, particularly in the inks used for packaging and labelling, is critical.

There are three hazard-related requirements in the safety management schemes: the criteria can be found in section 2.2 of the BRC Global Standard (BRCGS) for Packaging Materials; sections 1.11 and 1.12 of FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification); and section 2.4 of Safe Quality Food (SQF). Even though each standard uses different wording, they all have similar requirements.

As a leading producer of smart dispensing equipment, software and services for managing ink, paste, and coating products, GSE Dispensing is an ideal partner to work with when knowledge and expertise is needed. The GSE Dispensing products are now available in the UK through CyanX.

Here, Maarten Hummelen, marketing director, GSE Dispensing explains how to get started in hazard management.

 First Steps

Initially, producer companies need to establish a food safety plan and take the first steps to mitigate any problems.

The production team must consider relevant codes of practice or recognised guidelines, which should be implemented and sustained to ensure product safety throughout the workflow.

The plan should detail the products, including their composition (eg raw materials, inks, varnishes, coatings, and other printing chemicals), and specify the origin of raw materials, including the use of recycled materials.

Then outline all production steps through a process flow diagram. This diagram must delineate each process step, from raw material receipt, through manufacturing and storage, to customer dispatch. It should also encompass the receipt and preparation of raw materials such as additives, inks, and adhesives, as well as the utilisation of rework materials.

 Analysis and Control

The team must identify and document all potential food safety hazards at each process step, including those related to raw materials (such as inks). These risks might involve microbiological threats, chemical contamination, and the possibility of unintended substance migration from packaging materials to food or other hygiene-sensitive products. 

The team must implement control measures to mitigate these risks to acceptable levels.Ink suppliers have formulated low-migration inks to minimise the transfer of ink components from the printed surface to the contents of the package.

Pumping and dispensing low-migration inks can be challenging due to their specific formulation characteristics, designed to minimise the migration of potentially harmful substances. The materials used in pumps and dispensing equipment must be compatible with these inks’ specific chemical composition. Some components of these inks may be more aggressive or reactive, requiring more durable or chemically resistant materials in the dispensing and pumping system.

GSE offers a range of solutions to meet hazard-related requirements. These include software, equipment, and services, designed to align with the safety standards mentioned earlier.

Our software aids in professionalising the management of product composition and process flow. The core features of GSE Ink Manager software, for instance, include a comprehensive database, detailing the composition of each colour blends used in printing, along with expiry dates for the inks. 

Additionally, we provide optional software solutions for the procurement and receipt of raw materials, as well as for reworking press return inks.

To enhance personnel and environmental protection in printing facilities, the optional GSE Hazard symbol printing software automatically generates internationally recognised hazard warning labels for transporting and storing colour blends.

The GSE equipment meets stringent CE and ATEX safety standards.

www.cyanx.co.uk