Leading food makers have announced they are changing the packaging they use for products such as breakfast cereal after researchers raised concern about possible health risks from recycled cardboard.
A researcher team in Switzerland discovered that mineral oils in printing ink from recycled newspapers used in cardboard can get into foods such as cereal, pasta and rice - even passing through protective inner plastic bags.
Dr Koni Grob, of the Food Safety Laboratory in Zurich, said toxicologists had linked the oils to inflammation of internal organs and even cancer, though he stressed that individual meals would contain only a tiny dose of the chemicals.
It is reported that cereal firm Jordans has stopped using recycled cardboard while other manufacturers are taking action to reduce levels of mineral oils in packaging.
The Swiss researchers analysed a total of 119 products bought from German supermarkets last year and found that a large majority contained traces of mineral oils higher than the agreed level. Only those with thicker and more expensive inner lining bags appeared to escape contamination, which increased the longer products were on the shelves.
Studies on rats have highlighted the dangers to health of mineral oils, said Dr Grob, adding: "Toxicologists talk about two effects. One is the chronic inflammation of various internal organs and the other one is cancer."
But he added that one meal "has no real effect on health" and that it was a "matter of long-term exposure". Swiss food safety authorities have concluded that consumers who eat a balanced and varied diet have no need to worry.
A Kellogg's spokesman said: "It’s important to note the Food Standard’s Agency has said there’s no need for immediate action.
“While experts tell us there’s no immediate health concern, we are looking at our packaging. We are working with our suppliers on new packaging which allows us to meet our environmental commitments but will also contain significantly lower levels of mineral oil. We are also looking at alternative inner liners for our packets.
“Whilst there are strict regulations when it comes to the packaging of food, there is currently no direction from the UK government about mineral oils. We will immediately follow any such guidance once it has been given."
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