recycled plastics
New plastic goods or materials that have been made from recycled plastic waste
Recycled plastics are plastic materials that have been used before, collected, processed, and then intended to be used again in food contact materials, such as packaging or containers. The safety concern is that harmful chemicals or contaminants from the previous use could migrate into food.
EFSA evaluates recycled plastics by assessing the risk of chemical migration into food, checking if the recycling process effectively removes contaminants, and ensuring that materials meet strict safety standards. Their scientific advice helps EU regulators decide which recycling processes and materials are safe for use with food, protecting consumers from potential chemical exposure.