On July 24, 2013 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published scientific opinions on the “INTERSEROH step 2” recycling processes for polypropylene (PP) crates and the “Visy” and “SIA ekoPET” recycling processes for polytherephthalate (PET). The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) concludes that materials derived from both processes are safe for food contact.
In the first scientific opinion, the CEF panel states that pre-washed, damaged PP crates can be safely recycled with the “INTERSEROH step 2” recycling process, as the controlled and closed loop process uses only materials intended for food contact use. The risk of contamination can therefore be ruled out. The application for evaluation was filed by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The second scientific opinion considers the post-consumer PET recycling processes “Visy” and “SIA ekoPET”, which are based on the previously authorized Starlinger IV+ ® technology (previously reported on by the FPF). The CEF panel argues that the extrusion and crystallization steps sufficiently ensure decontamination of the washed and dried PET flakes under the conditions described in the application, provided recycling material contains less than 5% non-food contact PET. The CEF panel concludes that PET obtained from the “Visy” and “SIA ekoPET” processes can be used for up to 100% in the manufacture of PET food contact materials. The German Ministry for Consumer Protection and Food Safety submitted the application. EFSA evaluated the recycling processes in accordance with Commission Regulation EC 282/2008 on recycled plastic materials intended to come into contact with foods.
Reference
CEF (2013). “Scientific Opinion on the safety evaluation of the following processes based on Starlinger IV+ ® technology used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials“Visy” and “SIA EkoPET.” EFSA Journal 2013;11(7):3309 [16 pp.].
CEF (2013). “Scientific Opinion on the safety evaluation of the process “INTERSEROH Step 2” used to recycle polypropylene crates for use as food contact material.” EFSA Journal 2013;11(07):3308 [11 pp.].
