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STRENGTHEN THE PACKAGING

recycling.’ Additionally, some polymer chains may break down • U.S. FDA 21 CFR 179 Irradiation in the Production,
due to heat during extrusion molding, causing odors. These Processing, and Handling of Food
odors are removed through deodorization before the recycled • U.S. FDA, Use of Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging
plastic is molded into various packaging types, such as flexible (Chemistry Considerations): Guidance for Industry, July 2021
and rigid packaging. In conclusion, developing recycled plastics for food-
At present, HDPE plastics are increasingly being recycled contact applications poses significant challenges for the
and used in various products, following PET. Most recycled packaging industry. Manufacturers must continue advancing
HDPE packaging is used in non-food contact applications, such recycling technology, and regulatory agencies need to update
as household goods and cosmetic containers. However, with standards and verification methods, particularly for recycled
advancements in mechanical recycling technology, which plastics, to ensure consumer safety and align with
effectively removes contaminants during production, businesses government circular economy policies.
can now develop recycled HDPE packaging for food
applications. For instance, Ecoblue Co., Ltd. has sought
approval from the U.S. FDA to use recycled HDPE in food
packaging. The FDA issued a Letter of No Objection (LNO), More Information Service Info C014
approving its use for packaging food with an outer shell, such
as eggs, fruits, and vegetables. Additionally, the company can
use recycled HDPE as part of a functional barrier layer in
packaging, where the recycled material does not directly contact
the food. Internationally, companies like Unilever have started เอกสารอ้างอิง / References
using recycled HDPE materials in food packaging, such as ice 1 ประกาศกระทรวงสาธารณสุข ฉบัับัท่� 435 (พ.ศ. 2565) ออกตามความใน
cream containers. Similarly, Müller in the UK has begun พระราชบััญญัติอาหาร พ.ศ. 2522 เร่�อง กำาหนดคุณภาพหร่อมาตรฐานของ
incorporating food-grade recycled HDPE at a 40% ratio to ภาชนะบัรรจุุท่�ทำาจุากพลาสติก. ราชกิจุจุานุเบักษา เล่ม 139 ตอนพิเศษ
produce lids for dairy product packaging. Despite these 139 ง (วันท่� 17 มิถุุนายน 2565)
advancements, consumer concerns regarding the safety of 2 Hossain, R.; Islam, M. T.; Ghose, A.; Sahajwalla, V., Full circle:
recycled HDPE in food products persist. This has led to rigorous Challenges and prospects for plastic waste management in
testing for contamination removal during production. The safety Australia to achieve circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production
assessment process for recycled HDPE is similar to that of 2022, 368, 133127.
recycled PET, though the production steps differ, as each plastic 3 Cabanes, A.; Valdés, F. J.; Fullana, A., A review on VOCs from
type requires different technology and quality improvement
processes. recycled plastics. Sustainable Materials and Technologies 2020, 25,
In response to these challenges, the U.S. FDA has issued e00179.
guidelines for assessing the effectiveness of contaminant 4 Welle, F., Post-consumer contamination in high-density polyethylene
removal in recycled HDPE. The U.S. FDA’s standard for (HDPE) milk bottles and the design of a bottle-to-bottle recycling
maximum contaminant concentration is 320 µg/kg (0.320 ppm). process. Food Additives and Contaminants 2005, 22 (10), 999-1011.
If this threshold is exceeded, the recycled HDPE must undergo 5 หลักเกณฑ์์ เง่�อนไข และแนวทางการประเมินประสิทธิภาพของกระบัวนการ
additional testing to ensure that contaminant migration does ผลิตพลาสติกแปรใช้ใหม่และความปลอดภัยของเม็ดพลาสติกแปรใช้ใหม่
not exceed 0.01 mg/kg (10 ppb). These guidelines are สำาหรับัวัสดุสัมผัสอาหาร, สำานักงานคณะกรรมการอาหารและยา
documented in the following regulations: 6 https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-
• U.S. FDA 21 CFR 174 General Indirect Food Additives documents/guidance-industry-use-recycled-plastics-food-packag
• U.S. FDA 21 CFR 175 Adhesives and Components of ing-chemistry-considerations
Coatings 7 THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 10/2011 of
• U.S. FDA 21 CFR 177 Polymers 14 January 2011, on plastic materials and articles intended to come
• U.S. FDA 21 CFR 178 Adjuvants, Production Aids, and into contact with food and its amendment
Sanitizers 8 Nerín, C.; Bourdoux, S.; Faust, B.; Gude, T.; Lesueur, C.; Simat, T.;
et al., Guidance in selecting analytical techniques for identification
and quantification of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) in
food contact materials (FCMS). Food Additives & Contaminants: Part
A 2022, 39 (3), 620-643.
9 Kato, L. S.; Conte-Junior, C. A., Safety of Plastic Food Packaging:
The Challenges about Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS)
Discovery, Identification and Risk Assessment. Polymers 2021, 13
(13), 2077.
10 FCA – “Food Contact Additives” Sector Group of Pacific – the
European Chemical Industry Council, Guidelines Risk Assessment
of non-listed substances (NLS) and non-intentionally added
substances (NIAS) under the requirements of Article 3 of the
Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/200
11 https://www.fda.gov/food/packaging-food-contact-substances-fcs/
determining-regulatory-status-components-food-contact-material

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