At the request of the Brussels-based European Commission, the panel on Food Additives,Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food (AFC) investigated the risks connected with the migration of substances into food from food contact materials in which they are used.
EU rules dictate that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has to clear the substance before it can be used in the food production. AFC scientists must also investigate substances already authorised in the framework of Council Directive 89/109/EEC but that need to be re-evaluated.
The positive list of about 13 substances includes acrylic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester, Caprolactone, Alpha-methylstyrene and Perfluoromethyl perfluorovinyl ether.
The full opinion can be accessed at EFSA.