EFSA gives green light to food contact materials

The European Food Safety Authority has said it has no safety concerns about the use of two substances in food contact materials following requests from the UK.

Polymer antioxidant

The agency’s CEF panel delivered its positive scientific opinion on phosphorous acid, mixed 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl and 4-(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl trimesters.

The experts said there was no safety concern for the public if the migration of the substance - expressed as the sum of phosphite and phosphate form of the substance and the hydrolysis product 4-t-amylphenol) - does not exceed 5 mg/kg food.

The migration of the hydrolysis product 2,4-di-t-amylphenol should not exceed 0.05 mg/kg food, it added.

The substance, with CAS number 939402-02-5, European Commission reference number 74050 and the FCM substance No. 974, is for use as an antioxidant in all polymers at a maximum content of 1500 mg/kg polymer for contact with all food types at any time/temperature condition.

The referral to the Parma-based body was made by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) on behalf of the applicant Chemtura Corporation, USA.

Co-monomer fro EVOH and PVOH copolymers

The same panel also delivered a positive assessment on the monomer 3,4-diacetoxy-1-butene under specific conditions.

The EFSA scientists concluded that there was no safety concern for the consumer if the migration of the substance does not exceed 0.05 mg/kg food - including the hydrolysis product 3,4-dihydroxy-1-butene - and is only used as a comonomer for EVOH and PVOH copolymers.

The substance, with CAS No. 18085-02-4, REF. No. 15180 and the FCM substance No. 862, is designated for use as a comonomer in small percentages for the production of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) and polyvinyl alcohol copolymer (PVOH).

Stipulations were made depending on whether the substance was to be used as an inner layer or if in direct contact with food.

FCMs containing the copolymer as an inner layer are intended to be used with all types of foodstuffs under conditions of long term storage at room temperature whereas the copolymer layer in direct contact with food is intended for dry and fatty foods only, said the CEF panel.

Overall migration limit from EVOH or PVOH copolymers in direct contact with aqueous foods may be exceeded

The dossier was submitted on behalf of Nippon Gohsei, Japan, by the UK FSA

Source: EFSA