India published a guidance document for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) for use in food contact materials (FCM) in May 2025, following the introduction of new legislation permitting the use of rPET plastics in FCM and articles by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The guideline establishes detailed criteria for use of rPET in FCM. Key highlights include:
Scope
- Applies to the recycling process of transforming post-consumer food contact PET materials into FCM-rPET resins
- Covers the acceptance criteria for using FCM-rPET resins in FCMs
- Applies only to recycling technologies approved by FSSAI
Validation
Requiring super-clean, melt-in, paste-in or chemical recycling processes to have at least one decontamination step that removes contaminants to a level suitable for FCMs.
Accepted tests for the recycling processes:
- Challenge Test
- Extraction Test
- Migration Test
Lab Test Standards
For testing FCM-rPET in NABL ILAC-accredited laboratories, these standards must be followed:
- Indian Standard (IS) 12252 ‘Polyalkylene terephthalates (PET and PBT), their copolymers and list of constituents in raw materials and end products for their safe use in contact with foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals’
- IS 9845 ‘Determination of overall migration from food contact plastics’
- IS 9833 ‘Pigments and colorants in plastics in contact with foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals’
Documentation
FCM manufacturers are required to maintain:
- declaration of compliance (DoC)
- regulatory opinion
- supply chain records
- application details for a manufacturer’s authorization of FCM-rPET
Product Labelling
Authorizing the use of the FCM-rPET-X symbol and/or labeling information stating: ‘The packaging material is made with recycled PET’.
Source Safe Food Contact Materials on hktdc.com Sourcing
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Food Contact Material FAQ
1. What are food contact materials (FCMs)?
Food contact materials are items that come into direct or indirect contact with food, such as packaging, containers, utensils, machinery, and processing equipment. The materials must be safe and not transfer harmful substances to food.
2. What is rPET in food contact materials?
rPET stands for recycled polyethylene terephthalate. It is a plastic material made by recycling post-consumer PET bottles and containers. When processed and purified properly, rPET can be safely used in food packaging applications.
3. Why are these guidelines important?
They support sustainability and circular economy goals while ensuring food safety. By clearly defining standards for recycled plastics, India can boost the safe reuse of materials and reduce plastic waste.
