More food contact materials assessed
with food have been assessed by the European food safety authority.
EFSA has examined fumed silica, which can increase plastic viscosity, and Bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)carbodiimide, which prevents hydrogen degradation. The authority said that fumed silica's use should be restricted as a surface treatment for polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the amount that can be used should be limited in packaging to 0.05mg per kilo of food. The coating can be used for all types of food, including hot fill and pasturisation at temperatures up to 95C, and long term storage at room temperature. Bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)carbodiimide, which acts as a stabiliser against hydrolytic degradation, can be used as a layer behind a PET layer. Its use should also be limited to 0.05mg per kilo of food packaged. The substance may be used as a lubricant during processing of several polymers, which are intended for packaging all food types to be stored at both ambient temperatures and below. EU legislation requires that all materials that come into contact with food comply with health standards so that safe food remains safe. The main problem stems from chemicals that can migrate from the packaging to the foods they contain. Before a substance is authorised to be used in food contact materials and is included in a positive list of such substances, EFSA´s opinion on its safety is required. Tougher regulations are now in place following health concerns over chemicals used in packaging which can migrate into food. But EFSA's opinion on these two new substances could eventually give processors more options as to how they can package their food.
