Plastics in food packaging
The controls on the use of plastics in food contact material and the use of food additives in plastics.
There are regulations in place to cover plastic products, materials and additives that come into contact with food.
How food contact plastics are regulated
The set an overall migration limit for all food contact plastics. The regulations establish:
- 'positive lists' of monomers and starting substances permitted in food contact plastics manufacturing
- a list of plastic and production aids for use in food contact plastics
- any time and migration limits on using them
Approving monomers and additives
The European Commission approves monomers and plastics additives. Producers make applications to add monomers or additives to the approved lists to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) which may be placed onto the market in the EU and Northern Ireland
Under current operating arrangements for Northern Ireland, businesses seeking a new authorisation for placing these materials on the NI market will continue to follow EU food rules. From Autumn 2023, the Windsor Framework will allow GB public health standards to apply for pre-packed retail goods moved via a new NI retail movement scheme and placed on the NI market. Therefore, goods moving via this route containing GB authorised materials will be able to be placed on the NI market.
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Food additives in food contact plastics
You can use in the manufacture of food contact plastics. This applies so long as they don't affect the food or exceed legal limits for both plastic and food additives.