Experts Question Safety of Recycled Plastic Packaging
New feedback highlights concerns over potential chemical contaminants in recycled plastic food materials.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Organic Food
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The Food Packaging Forum has submitted comments to the European Commission regarding new sustainability rules for plastic packaging. The input raises concerns about whether recycled materials could harbor hazardous substances.
Why it matters
As the European Commission develops new harmonization rules for plastic packaging, the move highlights the ongoing struggle to balance environmental sustainability with the safety of materials that contact food.
The Food Packaging Forum, which manages the FCCmigex and FCCprio databases, provided evidence to the European Commission. The submission highlights that recycled plastics may contain substances of very high concern and other hazardous chemicals.
The players
Food Packaging Forum
An organization that maintains scientific databases like FCCmigex to track chemicals in materials that contact food.
European Commission
The executive branch of the European Union responsible for drafting and enforcing regulations on packaging waste.
The details
The Food Packaging Forum provided three documents to the European Commission during recent public consultations. The organization used findings from the Swiss government and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre to argue that recycled plastics can inherently contain hazardous materials. This creates a technical challenge for the European Commission as it attempts to set sustainability criteria while ensuring that recycled packaging does not compromise consumer safety.
Timeline
September 16, 2026: The Food Packaging Forum submitted formal comments to the European Commission.
Health Landscape
This development occurs as regulators work to update the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation amidst a trend of corporations scaling back sustainability pledges. It underscores the scientific tension between increasing recycled content in food packaging and preventing chemical contamination.
While regulators evaluate these safety standards, consumers should remain aware that recycled plastic packaging may carry chemical risks. If you are concerned about specific food storage methods, consult with your physician or a registered dietitian regarding safer storage alternatives like glass.
The takeaway
The effort to modernize packaging regulations highlights a critical need to monitor the chemical safety of recycled materials. Consider prioritizing the use of glass or stainless steel containers when storing food to minimize potential chemical exposure from plastic packaging.
Further reading
For more information on how manufacturing and packaging processes impact food safety, visit our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Food Packaging Forum.
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