EU Food Fraud Network begins battle against illegal bamboo packaging additives

05 Dec 2022 --- The European Commission (EC) has collaborated with the EU Food Fraud Network to put an end to the illegal import, trade and advertising of plastic articles sold as food contact materials (FCM). The products being sold include tableware that contains bamboo and other unauthorized plant-based additives.

The materials are made of plastic, where the bamboo or other plant-based additive is added only as a filler to give it volume and shape – this practice makes the plastic non-recyclable. Most plant-based additives, including bamboo, have not been safety assessed for their use in plastics – and therefore, may present a health risk. 

Plastic materials intended for contact with food may only be manufactured with substances thoroughly assessed and authorized in accordance with specific EU regulations. Plastic FCMs are being sold in the EU market containing bamboo and other plant-based additives, which are not permitted.

These products are often marketed using false claims of buzzwords such as “natural,” “eco-friendly,” “organic,” “compostable,” or “recyclable” to mislead environmentally-conscious consumers. 

The EC warns that dangerous particles leak into food through “plant-based” ingredients. EU countries band together
Twenty-one EU countries joined the one-year lasting coordinated action, which significantly increased the identification of illegal and fraudulent products.

As a result, 748 cases of plastic food contact materials containing unauthorized bamboo powder were uncovered. Of the 748 cases, 644 were products found on the EU market. 

The other 104 were goods rejected at the EU border, with most illegal products coming from China. Producers, importers and distributors were required by member states’ authorities to withdraw items from the market immediately.

Health risks
Despite the increase in the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed’s warnings and communication on the issue, the EC has noticed that illegal sales continue.

The plant-based additives may represent a public health risk. It could accelerate the degradation of certain plastics, leading to substances migrating from the plastic into consumers’ food.

For example, as “bamboo” products containing plastic FCMs are being used, the plastic degrades and melamine and formaldehyde can migrate to food in dangerous amounts that exceed safe limits. 

Without compliance and documentation, verifying the origin of these materials is impossible. For instance, it may be impossible to detect if the bamboo used to manufacture given tableware is new or recycled.

Competent Authorities in the member states state they are maintaining their vigilance and controls. At the same time, the EC will further assist EU countries in ensuring that these products are no longer placed on the EU market.

Edited by Sabine Waldeck