Open AccessSafety assessment of the process ‘Morssinkhof Plastics’, used to recycle high‐density polyethylene and polypropylene crates for use as food contact materials
Author(s) -
Silano Vittorio,
Bolognesi Claudia,
Castle Laurence,
Chipman Kevin,
Cravedi JeanPierre,
Engel KarlHeinz,
Fowler Paul,
Franz Roland,
Grob Konrad,
Gürtler Rainer,
Husøy Trine,
Kärenlampi Sirpa,
Mennes Wim,
Pfaff Karla,
Riviere Gilles,
Srinivasan Jannavi,
Tavares Poças Maria de Fátima,
Tlustos Christina,
Wölfle Detlef,
Zorn Holger,
Dudler Vincent,
Gontard Nathalie,
Lampi Eugenia,
Nerin Cristina,
Papaspyrides Constantine,
Lioupis Alexandros,
Milana Maria Rosaria
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
efsa journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.076
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1831-4732
DOI - 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5117
Subject(s) - high density polyethylene , food contact materials , polypropylene , food packaging , polyethylene , food safety , cardboard , environmental science , waste management , materials science , food science , engineering , composite material , chemistry
This scientific opinion of the EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids ( CEF Panel) deals with the safety evaluation of the recycling process ‘Morssinkhof Plastics’, EU register No RECYC 0142. The input consists of crates, boxes, trays, pallets and containers, hereafter termed ‘crates’, used in food contact, made of high‐density polyethylene ( HDPE ) or polypropylene ( PP ). It comprises unused damaged crates, prewashed used crates and parts of crates originating from closed and controlled product loops. The process separates crates by material type and food type (fruit, vegetables and prepacked meat vs unpacked meat). Flakes from recycled HDPE or PP are produced that will be used by customers to manufacture new crates for food contact. The Panel considered that the management system put in place to ensure compliance of the origin of the input with Commission Regulation ( EC ) No 282/2008 and to provide full traceability from input to final product is the critical process step. It concluded that the input of the process ‘Morssinkhof Plastics’ originates from product loops which are in closed and controlled chains designed to ensure that only materials and articles which have been intended for food contact are used and that any contamination can be ruled out when run under the conditions described by the applicant. The recycling process ‘Morssinkhof Plastics’ is, therefore, able to produce recycled HDPE and PP suitable for manufacturing HDPE and PP crates intended to be used in contact with dry food, fruits and vegetables, prepacked and unpacked meat. The use of regrind from ‘external’ recyclers only based on private agreements, does not give reassurance to fall under the scope of Art. 4 c (i) of Commission Regulation ( EC ) No 282/2008 and is excluded from the present evaluation.