Guide on plastic alternative bio-based packaging materials published
A guide for businesses intending to develop non-plastic packaging using new biologically based materials has been published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), following calls standard guidance from Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) Members.
The guide is intended to help developers and manufacturers identify and consider aspects of regulatory compliance that might influence their material choices, to meet customer needs for the intended use of the end product.
Though primarily relating to food product packaging, AIC Member businesses interested in plastic alternatives for product packaging may also find the information useful and can view it in full on the FSA website.
Andrew Pearson, AIC Policy Manager, said: "This Food Standard Agency guidance is a step in the right direction for materials related to foodstuffs. It covers the range and complexity of issues that need to be considered to ensure that tomorrow's packaging solutions are sustainable in the widest sense.
"As costs associated with packaging continue to rise for all, partly due to the plastics tax and in part due to AIC Members' share of the responsibility for recycling - affordable, marketable solutions can't come quickly enough."
It comes after growing concerns that there are a significant number of businesses which should be registered for the recently-introduced Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), but have not yet done so.
What are bio-based materials?
A biobased material is classed as a product that mainly consists of a substance, or substances, that are derived from living matter (biomass) and which may occur naturally or be synthesised, or a product that is made by processes that utilise biomass.
Many of these are polymers, repeating chemical chains of simpler molecules, can be used as alternatives to plastic in food packaging - some examples of naturally occurring polymers include cellulose, chitin and starch.
Like all materials intended to come into contact with food and drink, it needs to be safe and it needs to be suitable for its intended use. There are legal safeguards to ensure public health is protected - find out more on the FSA website.
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