On October 16 and 20, 2014 respectively the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published scientific opinions on two food contact substances used in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyesters. In the first opinion the Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) considers that N,N’-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) isophthalamide, (CAS 42774-15-2) is safe for use as an additive in PET. Neither purity level nor the no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) are disclosed in the scientific opinion. The second substance 2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,9-diethanol, β3,β3,β9,β9-tetramethyl-, also known as spiroglycol (SPG, CAS 1455-42-1), is considered safe for use as a co-monomer in polyesters for all types of storage at room temperature including hot-fill. The NOAEL for SPG is set to 2000 mg SPG/kg body weight per day. Neither substance displayed genotoxicity in three in vitro tests. Observed migration did not exceed 5 mg/kg food.
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CEF (October 16, 2014). “Scientific Opinion on the safety assessment of the substance, N,N’-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) isophthalamide, CAS No 42774-15-2, for use in food contact materials.” EFSA Journal 12, 10, 3867.
CEF (October 20, 2014). “Scientific Opinion on the safety assessment of the substance, 2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,9-diethanol, β3,β3,β9,β9-tetramethyl-, CAS No 1455-42-1, for use in food contact materials.” EFSA Journal, 12, 10, 3863.
