A door open for a new regulatory approach to Food Contact Materials in Europe

The 2016 “Plastics & Paper in contact with foodstuffs” Smithers Pira conference took place on December 7-9, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium. The conference presented newest developments from the fields of food contact plastic and paper, also covering select non-harmonized materials such as printing inks and adhesives. An overview of regulatory updates in the EU (FPF reported) and globally the U.S. also was provided.

Roland Franz of the research institute Fraunhofer IVV presented work on the migration of oligomers from food contact polymers. Oligomers are legally not clearly defined in EU regulation, as they are not always considered non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). Mr. Franz pointed out that oligomers are specific to a particular polymer production process, proposing they are evaluated as polymer-related substances. He defined two classes of oligomers: one containing those oligomers that lost the monomer’s functionality (and hence may require a de novo hazard and risk evaluation), and another one including those oligomers that still “latently” contain the functionality of their monomers (and hence can be evaluated using the knowledge available for monomers).

Dario Danielli, Director Analytical & Regulatory Affairs, SealedAir presented a suggestion for a new approach to the legislation of FCMs and food contact articles (FCAs). Discussing the EFSA Scientific Opinion on risk assessment of FCMs, published in January 2016 (FPF reported), Mr Danielli suggested that this document is a “door open for a new regulatory approach to FCM.” He called for all FCMs and FCAs, plastic and non-plastic alike, to be covered by a single regulatory measure. In his view, this measure should be based on exposure, and risk assessment should be used as the main approach to address safety concerns of FCM components, both intentionally added substances (IAS) as well as NIAS.

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