Posted on :Friday , 5th March 2021

New standards for Kraft paper processing have been accepted by Kenya's Bureau of Standards (KEBs).

The guidelines define the sampling and testing criteria for Kraft paper used in the packaging of greasy and oily foods, as well as dry foods like sugar and flour, bread bags, shopping bags, wrappings, and laminates.

The new guidelines specify grease or oil resistance, pH, cobb, dimensions, heavy metal and organic pollutants limits, and microbiological standards, among other things.

“Kraft paper is recommended for eco-friendly packaging because it is made of biodegradable, recyclable material, which helps to minimise waste and preserve the environment,” said managing director Bernard Njiraini.

Kraft paper is used for a variety of industrial and commercial applications around the world, including packaging, individual item wrapping, bundling, and void filling.

Paper sacks for industrial products such as cement and chemicals, flour and food bags at grocery stores, multiwall sacks, envelopes, paper bags, and corrugated layered cardboard are only a few of the applications for Kraft paper.

These standards would be particularly beneficial to food producers, fast food outlets, paper converters, importers, exporters, standards compliance agencies, and other stakeholders on a local level.

Kenya Standard KS 2489:2021, an updated specification for engine coolants, was also released by the standards body. It seeks to fix problems with tropical or summer coolants that were not covered by the previous standard.

Anti-freeze properties are not present in tropical coolants.

Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are two forms of glycol products covered by the revised norm. Various parameters were considered in both cases, including the freezing point, relative density, ash content, reserve alkalinity, PH, and boiling point.

The norm includes detailed test methods for performance characteristics.

Other new requirements include the consistency of water to be used for pre-mixing and a rust and corrosion test technique to help identify substandard goods in the industry more quickly.

A new Kenya Standard KS 2927:2021 specifying requirements, test and sampling methods for sodium bicarbonate traded and/or used in the food, pharmaceutical and household industries has also been approved.