The South American trade bloc, Mercosur, has passed three resolutions to update regulations of substances used in food contact materials, effective in April 2022. Summarized by news provider Chemical Watch, the changes include a ban on the use of bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80-05-7) in baby bottles and other food contact articles designed for children. The migration limit of BPA will also be lowered to 0.05 mg/kg for other food contact articles (FCAs).
The updates also limit the allowed migration of nine metals from plastic FCAs, including aluminum and barium to 1 mg/kg, copper and zinc to 5 mg/kg, and cobalt to 0.05 mg/kg, as well as non-volatile substances. Nineteen chemicals were added to the list of substances allowed for use in plastic food contact materials, and three substances to the list for plant-based articles made of materials like wood and pulp.
Mercosur is composed of four full members, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, that now have until April 22, 2022 to change their national laws to match the bloc’s new regulations.
Read More
Packaging Law (October 29, 2021). “MERCOSUR Publishes Three Food-Contact Related Resolutions.”
Chemical Watch (December 9, 2021). “Mercosur trade bloc revises rules for food contact materials.”
References
Mercosur (October 13, 2021). “Modification of resolution GMC No. 02/12 “Mercosur technical regulation on positive list of monomers, other starting substances and authorized polymers for the manufacture of plastic packaging and equipment in contact with foods.” (in Spanish or Portuguese)
Mercosur (October 13, 2021). “Modification of resolution GMC No 56/92 – General provisions for plastic containers and equipment in contact with food.” (in Spanish or Portuguese)
Mercosur (October 13, 2021). “Modification of resolution GMC No. 40/15 – Mercosur technical regulations on cellulosic materials, packaging and equipment intended to be in contact with food.” (in Spanish or Portuguese)
