Retailers told to stop selling plant-based plastic food contact materials

Plastic containers or utensils which contain bamboo and other plant-based materials should not be sold in the UK, until their safety has been proven

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has issued this notice to retailers alongside a call for evidence that aims to determine the long-term safety and stability of food contact materials containing bamboo and similar plant-based materials, including rice husks, hemp and wheat straw.

Such materials have not had their safety assessed in plastic, nor have they been authorised for use in plastic food contact materials (FCMs) in the UK, despite being commonly used in products such as:

• reusable plates, bowls and drinking cups
• tableware and cutlery, including children's crockery sets
• lunchboxes
• chopping boards

Until these products have been fully assessed and authorised, the FSA will not allow them to remain on the UK market. This includes the Northern Ireland market, and is in keeping with the EU legislation on FCMs which currently applies to business operators in NI.

Any products currently on the market should be withdrawn.

The notice does not apply to items made solely from bamboo or plant-based materials, only those products which use a combination of plastic and plant filler.

Health risks of bamboo composites

The Committee on Toxicity has carried out an initial assessment of the risks presented by bamboo composites in FCMs.

They determined that, in some cases, the presence of plant-based matter in plastic materials could result in the migration of plastic components, such as formaldehyde or melamine, into food or drink above their legal limit. This risk may be higher when such products are in contact with hot and acidic foods and drinks, or placed in the microwave, as this may cause elevated amounts of harmful chemicals to be released.

Whilst it is very unlikely that the initial use of these products would result in an immediate health risk, the long-term impacts from regular use of such items remain uncertain due to a lack of evidence.

Following the assessment, and as a precaution, consumers are being advised not to use such products until a full study into the potential risks can be completed. This is expected to be concluded after the call for evidence closes.

Call for evidence

The FSA wants businesses to respond to their call for evidence and provide as much information on plant-based composite products as possible, including details of what tests have been carried out on them and how they are being made. 

The evidence will enable the FSA to improve their understanding of these products, particularly concerning how varying the ratio of plastic to plant-based material impacts the long-term stability and overall risk.

Find details of the call for evidence on the safety and stability of plastic FCMs containing bamboo and similar plant-based material as additives.

First published 15 June 2023