Plastic food contact materials comprising bamboo and similar substances deemed non-compliant

Plastic food contact materials (FCMs) comprising bamboo and similar plant-based materials have been deemed non-compliant with retained Regulation (EU) No 10/2011.

The majority of the non-compliant FCMs are melamine products comprising bamboo. However, other plant-based materials used as additives, such as rice husk, wheat straw, coffee grounds and hemp, have also been implicated, in addition to polylactic acid products with maize additives.

Brenda McRory, Technical Lead at SCPHA, said:

“Any level of plant-based materials within a plastic is deemed as an additive, even if the material makes up the biggest proportion of the product. Such products are non-compliant and cannot be imported.

“However, FCMs consisting solely of plant-based materials are considered to be compliant as these are not covered by retained Regulation (EU) No 10/2011.”

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised SCPHA to intervene over importation of the non-compliant FCMs at the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich to help prevent their entry onto the UK market.

Further information can be found at www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news/notice-to-retailers-plastic-containers-or-utensils-containing-bamboo