Regulations and Plastic Packaging

This chapter is not intended to be a complete presentation of all relevant regulatory matters rather, it is intended to serve as a beginning point. Before making final packaging decisions for a product, experts should be consulted to make sure that all relevant regulations are satisfied. 

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In contrast to the situation for food and drugs, FDA has no specific regulations for plastic packaging materials or their additives for use in cosmetic packaging. Such packaging regulations as there are for cosmetics deal with issues such as labeling and tamper evidence, which are outside the scope of this book. 

As we can see, the regulations for plastic packaging are complex and require serious consideration. Also, this is an area where science, legislation, politics, consumer issues, and business are interrelated, requiring, in most cases, the inputs of experts from different fields. 

Environmental regulations and trends are leading to a decay in the consumption of PVC. Plastics comprise 17% of all materials used in packaging and package over 50% of consumer goods. The future is promising for many reasons ... 

EEC ° as last amended by Directive 97/48/EC sets requirements (time temperature conditions, selection of simulants) for testing of plastic materials and articles with food simulants. Directive 85/572/EEC indicates the simulants that shall be used for specified foods or groups of foods. See Chapter 5 for further details on these controls. Regulation of chemical migration from plastics into food and drink has developed over many years. EU regulatory control of active and intelligent packaging will therefore have to fit in with this well-established system of controls. 

Adimoll DO can be used when regulations and recommendations governing food contact applications need to be met. The FDA has approved this material to be used to make plastic packaging as indirect food additives (substances which may come in contact with food as part of packaging or processing equipment but are not intended to be added directly to food). 

There is sometimes confusion within the industry about why the food contact surfaces of eating utensils, receptacles, paper towels, and other kitchen appliances do not fall under the same regulations as food packaging. These were excluded from the 1958 Food Additives Amendment from the beginning, and the FDA has reaffirmed this in many letters. This does not mean that the maker of an item that is considered a houseware can ignore the public safety issues of the plastics and additives used. It would be advisable for any manufacturer to follow similar guidelines as must food packagers, but such practice is voluntary. 

Because migration of any material through a plastic is affected by the temperature of exposure, and the material In direct contact with the polymer surface, one must define the conditions of use for the plastic package. The CFR has implied that all approvals are based on the Intended conditions of use and in many cases the regulations establishes specific limits on these conditions for use of a given polymer or adjuvant. 

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