Port Health update on Plastic

June 22nd, 2023

Plastic food contact materials (FCMs) comprising bamboo and similar plant-based materials have been deemed non-compliant with retained Regulation (EU) No 10/2011.

The majority of the non-compliant FCMs are melamine products comprising bamboo. However, other plant-based materials used as additives, such as rice husk, wheat straw, coffee grounds and hemp, have also been implicated, in addition to polylactic acid products with maize additives.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has advised SCPHA to intervene over importation of the non-compliant FCMs at the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich, and Ipswich to help prevent their entry onto the UK market.

Further information can be found at www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news/notice-to-retailers-plastic-containers-or-utensils-containing-bamboo