The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has raised concerns over the growing use of recycled plastics in food packaging, warning that while recycled materials support sustainability goals, they may also pose chemical safety risks if not properly regulated.
In a recent report, the FAO said recycled food contact materials — including packaging, containers, and processing equipment — can sometimes contain contaminants from previous use, recycling operations, or poorly sorted waste streams. These substances may migrate into food, creating potential health concerns.
The organization noted that global regulations for recycled plastics vary widely. While regions such as the European Union have established approval systems for recycling processes, challenges remain around “non-intentionally added substances” (NIAS), including impurities and degradation by-products that are often difficult to detect and assess.
The FAO emphasized that increasing use of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) and other recycled polymers in beverage bottles and food packaging must not compromise food safety standards. Corinna Hawkes, Director of the FAO’s Agrifood Systems and Food Safety Division, said sustainability efforts should go hand in hand with consumer safety.
The organization called for stronger international safety frameworks, improved testing methods, and harmonized regulations covering the entire recycling chain — from waste collection to final food-contact applications — as global adoption of circular packaging solutions continues to accelerate.