The United Nations food security agency has issued a warning regarding the use of recycled plastics and alternative packaging materials for food. While these materials can significantly contribute to waste reduction, their safety hinges on meticulously managed recycling systems that prevent the migration of harmful chemicals into food products.
Vittorio Fattori, a food security officer at the FAO, emphasized the growing global plastic waste problem and the fundamental need for better, more effective recycling. “While we need to be better at reducing plastic pollution and improving recycling, we need to make sure that by trying to solve one problem in one area, we don’t create new ones,” he stated.
Food packaging is crucial in modern food systems, preserving quality, extending shelf life, and minimizing food loss. The market for food packaging is experiencing rapid growth, projected to expand from an estimated $505 billion in 2024 to over $815 billion by 2030. However, the proliferation of plastic packaging has raised significant environmental concerns, with less than 10 percent of global plastic waste currently recycled, despite efforts to increase this figure.
Navigating the Complexities of Recycled Food Packaging
Unlike many other recycled goods, food packaging must adhere to stringent chemical safety standards. Plastic food containers and wrappers can contain a myriad of substances from their manufacturing process, including stabilizers, coatings, pigments, and plasticizers. Additional contaminants can be introduced during recycling through inadequate sorting, environmental exposure, or prior consumer use.
FAO’s analysis reveals that recycled plastics may contain higher concentrations of substances like metals, flame retardants, phthalates, and persistent organic pollutants compared to virgin plastics. Experts highlight that recycled plastics can be as safe as new materials when subjected to rigorous cleaning, decontamination, and regulatory scrutiny. For instance, in the European Union, authorized recycled food-contact materials must meet the same standards as new plastics.
“The report’s main finding is: while recycled plastic and alternative food contact materials can offer environmental benefits, they can also raise some important food safety questions,” Mr. Fattori commented. “Applying [the principles of a] circular economy is important, it’s fundamental. But it must be done right.”
Emerging Materials, Unanswered Questions
The analysis also scrutinizes alternative packaging materials, such as bioplastics, plant fibers, and protein-based materials, which are increasingly promoted as sustainable replacements for traditional plastics. However, the term “bio-based” does not always equate to biodegradability. Some materials derived from renewable sources, like corn or sugarcane, share chemical similarities with fossil fuel-based plastics, while others degrade only under specific conditions.
The report cautions that plant-based packaging may introduce agricultural risks, including pesticide residues, toxins, and heavy metals. Protein-based materials could potentially transfer allergens, such as gluten, into food. Similar to conventional plastics, many alternatives rely on chemical additives to enhance performance, and some still lack sufficient long-term safety data.
The Persistent Issue of Microplastics
Growing public concern surrounds microplastics and nanoplastics detected in food and beverages. Scientific evidence confirms widespread human exposure, with these tiny plastic particles found in blood, lungs, breast milk, and placentas. However, regulatory bodies face challenges due to a lack of standardized and reliable methods for detecting and quantifying these particles, making it difficult to assess their risks to human health.
The report indicates that recycling facilities themselves can contribute to microplastic pollution, particularly during mechanical recycling processes that break down plastics into smaller fragments. “It all has to start with well-controlled recycling processes, including cleaning and removal of chemical contaminants,” Mr. Fattori emphasized.
Toward Global Standards for Food Packaging Safety
These findings are poised to influence ongoing discussions at the Codex Alimentarius Commission, an international food standards body co-established by the FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO). The report notes that varying national regulatory approaches to recycled plastics and food-contact materials create obstacles for international trade and consumer protection.
“Our role is to provide support to countries in terms of, first, harmonizing for example regulations on food safety implication related to packaging materials,” Mr. Fattori explained. Harmonized global standards are seen as essential for strengthening science-based food safety systems worldwide while simultaneously aiding countries in their efforts to reduce plastic waste.
