The European Coffee Federation (ECF) and European Cocoa Association (ECA) have jointly released a new industry specification for jute bags and yarns, updating food safety standards for packaging in the coffee and cocoa supply chains. The new guidelines are intended to serve as a modern replacement for the IJO98/01 standard, which has been in place for over two decades.
The update was prompted by findings from advanced analytical research, which showed that the previous standard's criteria were insufficient for controlling mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbon (MOAH) contamination. According to the ECF, the new specification directly addresses this gap and is designed to align with evolving European Union food safety regulations, providing a proactive framework for the industry.
Key elements of the new specification include direct maximum limits for both mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and MOAH. It also mandates that all substances used in manufacturing—such as batching oils, emulsifiers, and printing inks—must be food-grade. Furthermore, the standard establishes uniform sampling and testing procedures consistent with EU guidelines and requires strict contamination control throughout production and handling. For the coffee sector, the ECF notes this specification is a crucial preliminary reference, particularly as forthcoming EU regulations may not initially include coffee-specific limits.