Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) are petroleum-derived contaminants that can enter food through contact materials such as jute packaging, which is widely used in agrifood supply chains, particularly for cocoa. Jute bags are favoured for their strength, durability and breathability, as well as their sustainability benefits compared to synthetic packaging. The global jute market is valued at around US$2.8 billion and is expected to grow steadily, with India and Bangladesh accounting for nearly all global jute production. As a result, vast volumes of internationally traded commodities come into contact with jute each year, with most cocoa beans globally estimated to pass through jute packaging at some point in the supply chain, potentially over 50 million bags annually.
Recent advances in research have improved understanding of the most harmful MOH compounds, particularly mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH), which pose health concerns due to their carcinogenic and genotoxic potential. These findings have prompted the European Union to introduce regulatory limits for MOAH in foods, including cocoa beans and cocoa products. Jute bags used for cocoa packaging have been identified as a major source of MOH contamination, yet outdated standards and limited analytical capacity in jute- and cocoa-producing countries make it difficult to monitor and prevent contamination. Without effective preventive measures, a significant share of cocoa exports risks non-compliance with EU requirements, with potential trade disruptions affecting cocoa-producing countries in West Africa as well as jute producers in South Asia. At the same time, improving the food safety of jute packaging would deliver broader benefits for other commodities such as rice, spices and coffee, and help protect consumers in countries where jute is widely used for domestic food packaging.
This Project Preparation Grant (PPG) aims to bring together the jute and cocoa sectors to agree on clear, practical criteria for updating standards and guidance on how jute packaging is produced, handled and used in the cocoa supply chain. It will also lay the groundwork for a targeted project by assessing technical, analytical and operational gaps, strengthening capacity to produce and verify MOH-compliant jute packaging, and exploring practical solutions to improve traceability and prevent the circulation of contaminated bags.