On January 15, 2018, the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF Panel) published a scientific opinion on the ‘Morssinkhof Plastics’ recycling process intended to recycle high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) articles for use in food contact materials (FCMs). HDPE and PP crates, boxes, trays, pallets, and containers (from now on referred to as crates) used in food contact serve as input to this process. Unused damaged, prewashed used, and parts of crates “originating from closed and controlled product loops” will be used. The crates are separated by material and food type (e.g. fruit, vegetables, prepacked meat vs. unpacked meat) and turned into HDPE and PP flakes that can be used to manufacture new FCMs. “The input of the process ‘Morssinkhof Plastics’ originates from product loops which are in closed and controlled chains designed to ensure that only materials and articles which have been intended for food contact are used and that any contamination can be ruled out when run under the conditions described by the applicant,” the CEF Panel explained. Therefore, it concluded that the process is “able to produce recycled HDPE and PP suitable for manufacturing HDPE and PP crates intended to be used in contact with dry food, fruits and vegetables, prepacked and unpacked meat.” However, the CEF Panel noted that “the use of regrind from ‘external’ recyclers only based on private agreements” is excluded from this scientific opinion.
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CEF (January 15, 2018). “Safety assessment of the process ‘Morssinkhof Plastics’, used to recycle high-density polyethylene and polypropylene crates for use as food contact materials.” EFSA Journal 16(1):5117.
