Joint Expert Group on Food Contact Materials Interim Position Paper on ocean bound plastic
Joint Expert Group on Food Contact Materials Interim Position Paper on ocean bound plastic
The FSA and FSS have become aware of the use of recycled plastic food contact applications that are in part, or fully, fulfilled using so called “ocean-bound” plastic.
As this term has been observed to be a relatively new concept in food contact applications a full review of whether plastic material sourced from the open environment (ocean, ocean-bound, land) can be utilised in food packaging, either directly or behind a functional barrier, is currently being undertaken by the FSA.
As part of its full review, the FSA and FSS invites submissions from industry, the individuals as consumers, or interested parties, including those with the relevant science expertise to submit evidence on this issue.
We are particularly interested in understanding how operators propose to, or currently, carry out their own risk assessment of the safe use of these materials as a food contact material, particularly when sourcing from countries whose regulatory standards and waste management strategies differ to those of the UK and/or information on previous use and/or misuse are less certain. In addition, we would like to know how full traceability along the supply chain is ensured.
All information received will be reviewed and form part of the appropriate scientific committee’s wider consideration of recycled plastic that originated from ocean-bound/cycle schemes and similar environmental collection. This will be subject to the FSA’s requirements under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR) and to the extent such information contains personal data it will be processed in accordance with Privacy notice- Consultations. Commercially sensitive information and/or confidential in nature should be specifically identified in your response. This will be considered in conjunction with the requirements outlined above.
For further information on the call for evidence please see
To submit information/evidence, please contact
environmentalplastic@food.gov.uk
Given this will be an extensive and lengthy undertaking, the Joint Expert Group on Food Contact Materials (FCM JEG) was asked to provide an initial opinion on the potential risks. The following interim position paper was based on information and evidence available to the JEG at the time and to date has focused on ocean-bound plastic (OBP).
Whilst there is no accepted definition, there are examples of definitions in the literature, one of which is What is Ocean Bound Plastic? - Ocean Bound Plastic Certification