Open AccessSafety assessment of bleached cellulose pulp for use in plastic food contact materials
Author(s) -
Lambré Claude,
Barat Baviera José Manuel,
Bolognesi Claudia,
Chesson Andrew,
Cocconcelli Pier Sandro,
Crebelli Riccardo,
Gott David Michael,
Grob Konrad,
Lampi Evgenia,
Mengelers Marcel,
Mortensen Alicja,
Steffensen IngerLise,
Tlustos Christina,
Van Loveren Henk,
Vernis Laurence,
Zorn Holger,
Castle Laurence,
Di Consiglio Emma,
Franz Roland,
Hellwig Nicole,
Milana Maria Rosaria,
Merkel Stefan,
Barthélémy Eric,
Comandella Daniele,
Van Haver Ellen,
Rivière Gilles
Publication year - 2022
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.2022.7171
Subject(s) - food contact materials , cellulose , food packaging , pulp (tooth) , food science , pulp and paper industry , chemistry , environmental science , dentistry , medicine , engineering , organic chemistry
The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids assessed the safety of the substance bleached cellulose pulp, consisting of cellulose fibres (70–92%) and hemicellulose (8–30%) obtained from pine and spruce wood. The substance is intended to be used in polyethylene and polypropylene food contact materials. The final articles are intended to be used for all food types and for long‐term storage at room temperature, with or without a short time at higher temperature, including hot‐fill. Low‐density polyethylene samples containing of the substance were subjected to a broad set of migration tests with food simulants and extraction tests with dichloromethane. The limits of detection ranged from (when specified). The Panel noted that they do not ensure the detection of genotoxic substances at a concentration leading to a human exposure above the Threshold of Toxicological Concern. Moreover, not all possibly migrating substances were identified or amenable to the analytical methods applied. No toxicological data were provided for the substance itself, as its migration into food is not expected. The safety of the potentially migrating substances of low molecular mass detected was addressed individually and was considered adequate. However, the Panel considered this approach insufficient owing to a substantial fraction of unidentified components. The Panel concluded that the information provided by the applicant does not allow the safety assessment of the substances below 1,000 Da from bleached cellulose pulp from pine and spruce wood used in plastic food contact materials potentially migrating into food. Therefore, the Panel could not conclude on the safety of the use of bleached cellulose pulp from pine and spruce wood as a plastic additive.