The control of food contact plastics--the next ten years

In the UK, as in other countries, it has been recognized for many years that it is essential to control contamination from food contact plastics. However, experience has demonstrated that such control can be exercised effectively and efficiently without recourse to extensive legislation. This has been achieved by means of a basic legislative framework supported by informal controls which rely to a large extent on close co-operation between Industry and Government. This system has proved its worth over a number of years and, in the absence of any external factors, might still be in operation in ten years. There are, however, powerful external influences, in particular the EEC's harmonization programme on food contact plastics, which make it almost certain that the next ten years will see considerable changes. A move towards more extensive legislative controls seems inevitable. The current UK system of controls, both formal and informal is described. An attempt is then made to predict how this is likely to change over the next ten years. In all probability any major change of approach will arise from the EEC's harmonization programme. Although it is not possible to predict exactly how this programme is likely to proceed in future years, a good indication may be obtained by examining what has been achieved to date.