EFSA Creates Task Force to Evaluate Non-Plastic Food Contact Materials

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has created a scientific cooperation (ESCO)working group “to collect and analyze information on the safety of substances” used in non-plastic food contact materials. Citing concern that certain substances, such as inks and adhesives, are migrating into foods, EFSA initiated the working group to “identify strengths and weaknesses in different approaches used for risk assessment, propose criteria for future safety evaluations and suggest further actions to be taken.” ESCO will present its findings to EFSA’s executive director by the end of March 2011.

“Whilst EU rules specify that all materials coming into contact with foods must be safe, many non-plastic components of food contact materials—unlike plastic materials— are not subject to specific provisions at the European level,” states a February 22, 2010, EFSA press release.