On April 9, 2013 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a scientific opinion considering a sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate based substance safe for use in active food contact materials. The Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) charged with the evaluation concluded that the powder is safe for use in food contact materials if contained in a sachet and separated from the food by a pad. The substance was deemed by the CEF panel to be safely used in the packaging of whole fresh fruits as a combined oxygen generator and carbon dioxide absorber. The request for evaluation was submitted by the UK Food Standards Agency.
Reference
CEF (2013). “Scientific Opinion on the safety evaluation of the active substances, sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate coated with sodium carbonate and sodium silicate, bentonite, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate for use in active food contact materials.” EFSA Journal 11, 4, 3153.
