Scientific Opinion on the safety assessment of the process Petra Polimeri used to recycle polypropylene trays and insert trays for use as food contact material

• Main Author: EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2014-07-01
• Series: EFSA Journal
• Subjects: Petra Polimeri; Food contact materials; Plastic; Polypropylene (PP); Recycling; Process; Safety evaluation
• Online Access: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/doc/3780.pdf

This scientific opinion of the EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids deals with the safety assessment of the recycling process “Petra Polimeri”, EC register number RECYC089. The process recycles polypropylene (PP) trays and inserts trays which have been used for the transport, storage and display of whole, fresh fruits and vegetables at room temperature or below. Trays are returned by consumers and collected in specific containers at the point of sale and insert trays originate from a closed loop of distributors. After collection, trays and insert trays are sorted separately. Through this process, sorted trays and/or insert trays are ground into flakes, which are washed, dried and extruded into granules. This recycled material is used up to 30 % with virgin PP to manufacture new trays and insert trays intended for transport, storage and display of whole, fresh fruits and vegetables. The Panel considered the specific use of the recycled trays and insert trays and the management of the input material as a critical process step. The Panel concluded that exposure of consumers to potential contaminants is unlikely and that the recycled PP obtained from the process Petra Polimeri is not of safety concern when i) made with collected trays from specific containers at the point of sale along with a communication and/or insert trays from the retailer, trays and insert trays being collected and sorted separately; the sorting being positive and manual, and leading to more than 99.9 % PP trays and insert trays, and when ii) intended to be used up to 30 % with virgin PP to manufacture new recycled trays and/or insert trays for contact with whole, fresh fruits and vegetables at room temperature or below.