Applicants for recycling processes must demonstrate that the recycling process is able to reduce contamination of the recycled material and that the material does not pose a risk to human health. EFSA has turned down an application for recycling of post-consumer PET into food contact materials.
Technology and cleaning not demonstrated
PET flakes collected from post-consumer PET containers, mainly bottles and containing less than 5% of PET from non-food applications, were intended to be used for new food packaging materials and articles. EFSA concluded that the safety assessment did not adequately explain the recycling technology. Also, the challenge tests did not suitably demonstrate the cleaning efficiency of the process. Consequently, the application was not met.
In the EU, recycling processes must be evaluated and authorised before recycled plastic material or articles are placed on the market for food contact.
For more information on recycling and food packaging materials, please contact:
Helle Buchardt Boyd
hbb@dhigroup.com
Tel +45 4516 9097
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