EU Authorises Four New Substances for Plastic Food Contact Materials

Chopped carbon fibres, from carbonised polyacrylonitrile

Only to be used in polyether ether ketone (PEEK) polymer, at up to 40 % w/w.

The fibres must be manufactured from polyacrylonitrile, have a carbon content of at least 95 % w/w, and must not be at the nanoscale in any dimension (diameter > 100 nm).

Nano-precipitated calcium carbonate, uncoated

Not to be used in the manufacture of materials and articles intended to come into contact with infant formula.

Poly(2-hydroxypropanoic acid), n-octyl/n-decyl esters

Only to be used as an additive up to 15 % w/w in materials and articles made from polylactic acid (PLA) which do not contain starch (FCM No 564) or other additives with a function similar to starch that could increase migration, and which are intended to be in contact up to 40 °C for up to 10 days at with water included in food category 01.01, or with food included in categories 04.01 (fruit, fresh or chilled), 04.04 (vegetables, fresh or chilled) and 08.01 (vinegar), as specified in Table 2 of Annex III.

Mixture of 1,9-nonanediamine (NMDA) and 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine (MODA)

Only to be used as a co-monomer with terephthalic acid in the manufacture of polyamide materials and articles.

Not to be used in materials and articles intended to come into contact with infant formula or human milk.

The migration of the fraction with molecular weight below 1 000 Da consisting of NMDA/MODA-related species shall not exceed 5 mg/kg food.