Safety of Chemicals in Plastic Packaging

Plastic is used in packaging as the material of choice and is also used as a component part in lots of packaging where the predominant material is not plastic. Examples include linings in cardboard trays, cups and cartons, and in metal cans.

The UK plastics industry is among the most highly regulated in the world. Any plastic or plastic packaging that comes into contact with humans — whether it is in food and drink, healthcare, beauty or personal hygiene packaging — is subject to strict regulations to guarantee the safety of consumers.

 

Why are the chemicals in use deemed safe?

Plastics used in food packaging are subject to a whole array of regulations that are constantly being updated. The risk assessments carried out under various regulations take into account both the hazard and the exposure level, ensuring it remains well within safe limits. It is worth noting that the plastics used in the packaging of food are often the same as those recommended by medical authorities for use in life-saving medical applications, which are in intimate and long-term contact with body tissues.

 

Who decides upon the safety regulations for plastic packaging?

Regulations apply to both virgin materials and recycled materials and risks to human health are strictly managed in accordance with UK laws. They are regulated by both a system of migration testing and — in the case of recycled materials — challenge testing. These are set to ensure that during both storage and use, individuals — including adults and children — are not exposed to levels of chemicals that could be harmful to their health

The regulations concerning the safe use of plastics are reviewed whenever a new material is being considered for a packaging application where it will be in contact with food or drink. The regulations are also reviewed whenever the current safety limits regarding the use of a particular material is itself subject to review. 

Many regulations pre-date Brexit and were developed by the European Commission based on opinions by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Now regulatory divergence from the EU is possible, the UK’s Food Safety Authority (FSA) is the principal authority in adopting and enforcing regulations.

The production and filling of packaging is regulated under strict hygiene standards and accredited. An example is the hygiene standards set by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), where facilities are subject to inspection.

 

What particular safety regulations apply to plastic packaging?

The regulations that apply to plastic materials include the Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations 2012, with separate versions available for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

These ensure that materials in use are compliant, consistent, controlled and they include measures ensuring traceability and quality control during manufacture, storage, transportation and use.

Due to the risk of contamination within the waste stream, not all not all plastic packaging applications can include recycled content. Information relating to the safe use of recycled materials can be found in the legislation detailed above.

Further information is available within the ‘useful links’ section below.

 

In conclusion…

The UK plastics industry considers safety to be of paramount importance. Developments in plastic packaging have been responsible for vast improvements in food hygiene over the past 50 years. Without such packaging, food hygiene is likely to regress and food poisoning may become more commonplace again. Well-designed packaging also helps ensure that products destined to be consumed cannot easily be tampered with, keeping consumers safe.

Chemicals such as Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, for example, have historically undergone rigorous risk assessments and have consistently been found to be safe for use in all current applications — and are not commonly found in packaging anyway. Acceptable limits for these materials are under regular review.

As long as regulations are adhered to, plastic packaging is completely safe to use.

 

Useful links

The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (England) Regulations 2012

The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Wales) Regulations 2012

The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012

The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Scotland) Regulations 2012