On May 28, 2015 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published two scientific opinions on post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) recycling processes. The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF Panel) evaluated the processes called ‘Terrachim’ and ‘Evertis Iberica’. The processes are based on two different decontamination technologies. Input for both processes is washed and dried PET flakes from post-consumer PET containers containing no more than 5% PET from non-food consumer applications. Conducted challenge tests demonstrated that the recycling processes can ensure levels of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food below a conservatively modeled migration of 0.1 μg/kg food and 0.15 µg/kg food, respectively. The latter migration was derived from an exposure scenario for toddlers. The recycled PET obtained from the processes is intended to be used up to 100% for manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs. However, PET from ‘Evertis Iberica’ shall not be used for packaged water because water could be used to prepare infant formula. The CEF Panel considers the PET obtained from ‘Terrachim’ and ‘Evertis Iberica’ not to be of safety concern.
In April 2015, the CEF Panel evaluated three further post-consumer PET recycling processes called ‘Coveris’, ‘Envaplater’ and ‘PET-M’ which are also considered safe for all types of foodstuffs except packaged water (FPF reported).
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CEF (May 28, 2015). “Scientific Opinion on the safety assessment of the process ‘Terrachim’ based on VACUREMA Prime® technology used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.”
CEF (May 28, 2015). “Scientific Opinion on the safety evaluation of the process ‘Evertis Iberica’, based on EREMA MPR technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials.”
Joe Whitworth (May 29, 2015). “Post-consumer PET recycling processes evaluated.” Food Production Daily
Food Packaging Forum (December 4, 2014). Plastic Recycling.
