Finding out the truth about chemical migration from packaging into food

The truth is out there but is it known, regulated and understood? If you have knowledge to share about the migration of chemicals from packaging into food or comments about the regulations involving this, Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) wants to hear from you.

FSANZ has previously assessed the risks of chemicals migrating from packaging to food and claims that overall the results were reassuring. However, some potential problems were identified.

In 2010, FSANZ surveyed 65 foods and beverages that were packaged in glass, paper, plastic or cans. They were looking to see if chemicals such as phthalates, perfluorinated compounds, epoxidised soybean oil (ESBO), semicarbazide, acrylonitrile and vinyl chloride were migrating from the packaging into foods and beverages and if they presented any health and safety risks. The survey built on a previous FSANZ survey of bisphenol A (BPA) in foods.

The survey results showed no detections of phthalates, perfluorinated compounds, semicarbazide, acrylonitrile or vinyl chloride in food samples.

ESBO, which is produced from soybean oil and is used in a range of plastics to give the plastic safe and airtight mechanical properties to form a good seal between a food container and its lid, was detected at very low levels in a small proportion of samples analysed. These levels were well below international migration limits set by the European Union and don’t pose a risk to human health and safety.

FSANZ has continued to monitor levels of BPA and other chemicals used in food packaging which may migrate into foods and beverages.

Submissions on a proposal investigating chemical migration from packaging into food and whether existing regulations are managing potential risks are now being sought by FSANZ.

FSANZ welcomes comments from all sectors of the community on the proposal.

The closing date for submissions is 5 August 2016.

In Australia, manufacturers are required by the Food Standards Code to ensure food in contact with packaging is safe.

Standard 1.4.1 - Contaminants and Natural Toxicants​ sets out the maximum levels of some contaminants that may be present in food as a result of contact with packaging material.

In Australia, Standard 3.2.2 - Food Safety Practices and General Requirements has specific requirements for food businesses to ensure that when packaging food, only packaging material that is fit for its intended use and is not likely to cause food contamination must be used.

In New Zealand, businesses operating a Risk Management Programme under the Animal Products Act 1999 or a Food Safety Programme under the Food Act 1981 must take responsibility for identifying hazards and mitigating them in their operations. This includes hazards associated with materials that come into contact with food.