Unpacking the complexity of the polyethylene food contact articles value chain: A chemicals perspective

Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used type of plastic food packaging, in which chemicals can potentially migrate into packaged foods. The implications of using and recycling PE from a chemical perspective remain underexplored. This study is a systematic evidence map of 116 studies looking at the migration of food contact chemicals (FCCs) across the lifecycle of PE food packaging. It identified a total of 377 FCCs, of which 211 were detected to migrate from PE articles into food or food simulants at least once. These 211 FCCs were checked against the inventory FCCs databases and EU regulatory lists. Only 25% of the detected FCCs are authorized by EU regulation for the manufacture of food contact materials. Furthermore, a quarter of authorized FCCs exceeded the specific migration limit (SML) at least once, while one-third (53) of non-authorised FCCs exceeded the threshold value of 10 mu g/kg. Overall, evidence on FCCs migration across the PE food packaging lifecycle is incomplete, especially at the reprocessing stage. Considering the EU's commitment to increase packaging recycling, a better understanding and monitoring of PE food packaging quality from a chemical perspective across the entire lifecycle will enable the transition towards a sustainable plastics value chain.

Automated summary

Polyethylene (PE) is widely used in plastic food packaging, and this study explores the migration of food contact chemicals (FCCs) across the lifecycle of PE packaging. Out of 377 FCCs detected, 211 were found to migrate from PE articles into food. Only 25% of the detected FCCs are authorized for food contact materials by EU regulation, and a significant number of both authorized and non-authorized FCCs exceeded the migration limits. The evidence on FCCs migration across the PE packaging lifecycle is incomplete, especially at the reprocessing stage.