In an article published on June 28, 2018, regulatory news provider Chemical Watch informed that new regulations on technical requirements for cellulosic food contact materials (FCMs) and containers will enter into force in Brazil. “Cellulosic products are made from plastic derived from cellulose,” Chemical Watch explained. The regulations are adaptions of the rules defined by the South American trade bloc Mercosur and will “come into force in the next few days.” They were published in Brazil’s Official Gazette on June 30, 2016, and “established a two year transition period to allow manufacturers to adjust to the new requirements.”
The regulations cover 1) testing methods and migration limits for cellulosic materials, containers, and equipment intended for food contact, 2) cellulosic materials to be used for cooking and hot filtration, and 3) cellulosic food contact materials, containers, and equipment intended for oven heating. They also include lists of substances allowed for use in the manufacture of cellulosic FCMs and set out restrictions on materials, containers, and equipment treated with paraffin, waxes, and mineral oils and pigments. Further, the regulations list permitted migration levels for other substances that may be present in cellulosic containers and packaging, such as phthalates, cadmium, lead, mercury, and antimony.
Argentina and Uruguay have also recently adopted regulations on FCMs and cellulosic materials based on the Mercosur resolutions, Chemical Watch reported.
Read more
Chemical Watch (June 28, 2018). “Brazil set to enforce FCM regulations on cellulosic materials.”
Ministério da Saúde/Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária/Diretoria Colegiada (June 30, 2018). “Resolução A – RDC Nº 88, de 29 de Junho de 2016: Aprova o regulamento técnico sobre materiais,embalagens e equipamentos celulósicosdestinados a entrar em contato comalimentos e dá outras providências.” Diário Oficial da União (in Portuguese)
Ministério da Saúde (MS)/Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) (June 30, 2018). “Resolução de Diretoria Colegiada – RDC N° 89, de 29 de Junho de 2016: Aprova o regulamento técnico sobre materiais celulósicos para cocção e filtração a quente e dá outras providências.” Diário Oficial da União (pdf; in Portuguese)
Ministério da Saúde (MS)/Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) (June 30, 2018). “Resolução de Diretoria Colegiada – RDC N° 90, de 29 de Junho de 2016: Aprova o regulamento técnico sobre materiais, embalagens e equipamentos celulósicos destinados a entrar em contato com alimentos durante a cocção ou aquecimento em forno e dá outras providências.” Diário Oficial da União (pdf; in Portuguese)
