Cancer concern over recycled cereal boxes
Leading food manufacturers are changing their packaging because of health concerns about boxes made from recycled cardboard.
Researchers found toxic chemicals from recycled newspapers had contaminated food sold in many cardboard cartons.
The chemicals, known as mineral oils, come from printing inks.
Cereal firm Jordans has stopped using recycled cardboard and other firms are to ensure their recycled packaging does not contain any toxic oils.
Kellogg’s and Weetabix say they are taking steps to reduce the amount of mineral oil in their packaging.
Exposure to mineral oils has been linked to inflammation of internal organs and cancer.
Government scientists in Switzerland found quantities of mineral oils between 10 and 100 times above the agreed limit in foods like pasta, rice and cereals sold in cartons made from recycled cardboard.
