From a Weak Signal to a Boiling Frog Syndrome Opportunities and Threats of Legal Boundaries in the Paper-based Packaging Supply Chain!

Abstract

Abstract In the early 1970s Ansoff described the significant role of weak signals for strategic planning and foresight. His model is based on the assumption that every effect caused by humans is to be foreseen and unsurprising. Under the auspices of discrete discontinuities in economic, political, technical and social affairs, they can be noticed before they come into existence as a whole. The printing and packaging industry that process food packaging operate their businesses within a complex, strict set of regulations and industrial guidelines. These ruling frameworks ensure that packaging does not negatively impact the products. Swiss studies have shown that cardboard boxes made from recycled paper fibres can contain significant portions of mineral oil. Animal feeding studies have proven that mineral oil mixtures are stored in the body. They can lead to accumulations and damage. The increase of food-packaging migration alerts in recent times has been highlighted by NGOś and the media. The German legislator has decided to act with a national approach towards stringent consumer protection. This paper aims to give an overview of the current status of the “German Ink and Mineral Oil Ordinance” in relation to recent and future risk management within the paper-based packaging supply chain. A possible European spill over will be highlighted. The paper aims to give recommendations for action towards adjusted and more suitable behaviour.