The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) have issued guidance to businesses regarding the use of ocean-bound plastics (OBPs) in food packaging.
This follows the publication of an assessment by the Joint Expert Group for Food Contact Materials.
The review focused on food packaging used for products such as meat, poultry, and fish in supermarkets.
After examining the findings, both agencies concluded there is insufficient evidence to prove that OBPs are safe for use in food contact materials.
They stated that it cannot be confirmed whether such plastics have any health impacts. As a result, businesses are being advised not to use this type of environmental plastic in food packaging.
This new advice specifically excludes recycled plastics sourced from controlled environments such as UK kerbside collection systems.
The FSA and FSS also confirmed ongoing engagement with industry stakeholders to address concerns related to food-grade recycled plastics.
This includes attention to how such materials are presented and labelled.
FSA Food Policy deputy director Dr James Cooper said: “We acknowledge the benefits of recycling abandoned plastic that has been collected from the open environment, especially plastic in danger of entering waterways or oceans (ocean-bound plastics).
“Such initiatives, if carried out appropriately, can protect the environment while supporting innovation and economic growth.
“Unfortunately, we are currently not confident that the collection of abandoned environmental plastic, which is subsequently mechanically recycled, is meeting the same standards. In light of this, we are advising businesses not to use this type of plastic in food packaging and to look for alternative uses for it.”
