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.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) set migration limits for a Alkyl (C12-C20) dimethylamines (0.5 mg/kg bw); 1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one (0.5 mg/kg food), 9,9-Bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene (0.05 mg/kg food); cis-1,2-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, calcium salt (5 mg/kg food); 2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (0.5 mg/kg food); and Silver chloride (20% w/w) coated onto titanium dioxide (0.05 mg Ag/kg food ).
EFSA did not set any migration limits for three other chemicals approved for use in food contact packaging: polyacrylic acid, sodium salt; polydimethylsiloxane, 3-aminopropyl terminated, polymer with dicyclohexylmethane- 4,4'-diisocyanate; and polydimethylsiloxane, 3-aminopropyl terminated, polymer with 1-isocyanato-3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexane.
Alkyl, linear with even number of carbon atoms (C12-C20) dimethylamines are intended to be used as detergents, dying auxiliaries, wetting agents and antistatic agents in plastics intended to come into contact with all types of foodstuffs, according to the application for registration.
EFSA also approved 1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one for use as a biocide intended to be used as a preservative of water based polymerdispersions used to make coatings.
In this application it is used in combination with 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, according to the applicant.
The chemical is also used as a slimicide in the manufacture of paper.
However EFSA noted that 1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one is not stable in olive oil.
The risk assessor called for a substitute test media of 95 per cent ethanol or isooctane to be used so the material could be in compliance with EU law.
The material is only authorised for use in aqueous polymer dispersions and emulsions and at concentrations which do not result in an anti-microbial effect at the surface of the polymer or on the food itself, EFSA stated.
EFSA also approved 9,9-Bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene for use as an additive in the production of polypropylene homo/copolymers used for thermoformed, blow molded objects and in films.
Food contact applications include films and articles up to 1.5 mm thickness and for contact with all types of food under all time and temperature conditions including domestic use and for microwave re-heating.
The use of the chemical for cooking packaged foods in conventional ovens is banned.
Migration in fatty foods may exceed the proposed restriction of 0.05 mg/kg food, EFSA noted in a statement to the European Commission.
Meanwhile the use of cis-1,2-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, calcium salt CAS number: According to the application, cis-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid is a calcium salt intended to be used as a nucleating or clarifying agent in all kinds of polyolefins.
The maximum applied concentration is 0.25 % in polymer.
The final product could come in contact with all types of foodstuffs and without restrictions concerning contact time and temperatures, EFSA noted.
The application for 2-Methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one lists its use as a biocide intended to be used as a preservative of water-based polymer dispersions used to make coatings.
In this application it is used in combination with 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, according to the report.
Polyacrylic acid, sodium salt is used as a dispersing agent for minerals and helps to grind mineral fillers to be incorporated into plastics.
Polydimethylsiloxane, 3-aminopropyl terminated, polymer with dicyclohexylmethane- 4,4'-diisocyanate is used as an an extrusion processing aid and as an additive in polyolefins.
Polydimethylsiloxane, 3-aminopropyl terminated, polymer with 1-isocyanato-3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexane can be used as an extrusion processing aid and as an additive in polyolefins.
The application for silver chloride coated onto titanium dioxide in a 20:80 ratio lists its use as a preservative in water-based polymer emulsions.
The coating can also be used as a surface biocide in polymeric food contact materials to protect the surface of finished articles from microbial contamination during storage and subsequent use.
"Application is in a wide range of food contact materials intended for single or repeated use in contact with all types of food," EFSA noted.