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Packaging Standards

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Packaging Standards

Uploaded by

9567592146
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
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PACKAGING MATERIALS AND PACKAGED

COMMODITIES — LAWS AND REGULATIONS 223

Chapter
13
PACKAGING MATERIALS AND
PACKAGED COMMODITIES
— LAWS AND REGULATIONS

V D Sattigeri

Food Safety & Analytical Quality Control Laboratory


Central Food Technological Research Institute
Mysore 570 020 (INDIA)
PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING
224 Chapter 13

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING


PACKAGING MATERIALS AND PACKAGED
COMMODITIES — LAWS AND REGULATIONS 225

Chapter 13

PACKAGING MATERIALS AND


PACKAGED COMMODITIES
—LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Introduction lubricants, catalysts, polymerisation ingre-


dients, ultraviolet absorbers, blowing
Primary functions of the packaging is agents, antifungal agents, pigments, fillers
to protect food from contamination, main- and dyes, antiblocking agents and organic
tenance of hygienic conditions, preserving acids are usually added. To regulate the
its integrity, safety and quality. Food packa- safe use of plastics in food packaging, it
ging is now $ 800 billion global industry was considered expedient to formulate
with plastics based packaging forming a standards / specifications for the plastics
major chunk. coming in contact with food matrix.
Plastic packages come in various forms Food Regulations
such as wrap, bottle, jar, jerrycan, sachet
and containers of all shapes and sizes for To protect consumers against potential
food packaging. These products are hazards of substances that migrate into
normally prepared from single material. For food, the EU, USA and many other
special applications, more than one plastic countries including India have introduced
materials are extruded together. These are strict regulations. In India, Bureau of
specialized food packaging materials in Indian Standards (BIS), a statutory body,
which the inner layer is in contact with was established in April 1987, through
the food while the outer layer serves other Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986
functional requirements. Lamination of (From 1947 upto 1986, it was called Indian
plastic film to other types of materials such Standards Institute - a registered body) for
as paper, aluminium foil or other plastics strengthening the National Standards. The
is another expanding area in food packa- BIS has laid several requirements for food
ging composite materials. grade plastic materials. Food contact
materials must comply with these regu-
To improve processibility and functio- lations, and to ensure them, testing of food
nality of plastics, various additives such packaging materials is required. It is also
as slip and antistats, antioxidants, plasti- necessary to determine the toxicological
cizers, emulsifiers and suspension agents, profile of each chemical.

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING


226 Chapter 13

Regulations of food packaging mate- In cases where migration is above 5 mg


rials of India, Australia and New Zealand, substance / kg food / food-simultant, a
European Union, Canada, the United complete toxicological profile has to be
States of America and Codex Alimentarius made, including mutagenicity, terato-
are discussed in the following sections. genicity, carcinogenicity and several other
studies.
Toxicological Studies
The food contact materials must
As a general principle, the greater the
comply with national and / or inter-
migration of the food packaging substance
national regulations, and to ensure this,
into the food, the more toxicological
compliance testing of food packaging
information is needed (Fig. 13.1). For all
materials is required (Fig. 13.2).
food packaging substances, three muta-
genicity tests are required. Other toxico-
Overall migration of food contact
logical tests depend on the extent of
migration. In cases where migration is materials
lower than 0.05 mg substance / kg food / Migration tests are performed with food
food-simultant, only the absence of simulants at certain time / temperature
mutagenic potential is to be demonstrated conditions, which represent the extreme
and a 90-day oral toxicity study has to be situations at which the food packaging
carried out. This study is usually perfor- material or utensil is subjected to in
med with rats receiving the substance via practice. The simulant represents groups
food or drinking water, thus simulating of food, e.g., 3% acetic acid for acidic foods.
the route of exposure for consumers. The overall migration is the total transfer

Fig. 13.1. Extent of migration and toxicological information needed.

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING


PACKAGING MATERIALS AND PACKAGED
COMMODITIES — LAWS AND REGULATIONS 227

material complies with the positive list. The


material can be analysed qualitatively often
based on the composition data supplied
by the food packaging producer. Quanti-
tative composition analysis of a material
needs to be carried out if the residual con-
! " tent of the specific food packaging compo-
#! "
$% "
nents, such as monomers and additives,
are limited by the regulations.
Food approval
Food approval testing includes
qualitative and quantitative compositional
analysis and overall migration and specific
migration of limited components. In these
tests, appropriate food simulant and time
/ temperature test conditions are used. The
data obtained must be in compliance with
the relevant regulation on food packaging.
Fig. 13.2. Compliance testing of
packaging materials Regulations in India on Use of
Plastics for Food Packaging
of components from the packaging material
into food. India being the second largest producer
of food next to China, huge potential exists
Specific migration of food contact for the packaging of fresh and processed
materials foods, which will eventually bring down
post-harvest losses.
Based on toxicological studies,
migration of specific food packaging In India, food processing is a key
components, such as monomers and industrial sector which accounts for a gross
additives in food is specified. This is output of more than US$ 70 billion. The
stipulated in various national legislations size of the semi-processed ready-to-eat
and is known as Specific Migration Limit packaged food industry is over Rs 4,000
(SML). Specific migration testing of these crore which is growing at over 10%
restricted food packaging components is annually. The fastest growing areas in food
required and data must be evaluated on packaging are plastic based flexibles and
their compliance with the relevant PET bottles. In India, food processing sector
regulations. accounts for 50 per cent of India’s total
packaging demand.
Compositional analysis of
food contact materials In India, we have mandatory and
voluntary food laws such as Preservation
Qualitative compositional analysis is of Food Adulteration Act, Fruit Products
carried out to verify if a food packaging Order, Milk and Milk Products Order, Meat

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING


228 Chapter 13

Products Order, Vanaspati Control Order, basic resin, emulsifiers and suspension
Stds. of Weight and Measures, and agents, catalysts, polymerization ingre-
AGMARK Values. PFA Act under rule 49 dients, lubricants, antioxidants, antistatic
(5) specifies that plastic materials shall and antiflogging agents in polyethylene.
conform to the following Indian Standards
IS: 10171-1986: Guide on suitability of
specifications, namely:
plastics for the food packaging covers
a) IS: 10146- Specification for Polyethylene primarily various thermoplastics singly or
in contact with food stuffs. in combinations suitable for food contact
applications.
b) IS:10142-Specification for Styrene
polymers in contact with food stuffs. IS: 9845-1998: Deals with determination
of overall migration of constituents of plastic
c) IS:10151-Specification for Polyvinyl-
materials and articles intended to come in
chloride in contact with food stuffs.
contact with foodstuffs, for different types of
d) IS:10910-Specification for Polypropy- foods.
lene in contact with food stuffs.
IS: 10106 (Part 1 / Sec 1) - 1990: Deals
e) IS:11434-Specification for Ionomer with packaging code. This code has
resins in contact with food stuffs. classified foodstuffs and perishables in
f) IS:11704-Specification for Ethylene categories of decreasing order of perisha-
acrylic acid copolymer. bility and laid down guidelines for packa-
ging of various foodstuffs so as to avoid
g) IS: 12252 - Specification for Polyal- deterioration. For returnable containers, it
kylene terephthalates. has further explained the procedure to keep
h) IS:12247-Specification for Nylon 6 the containers clean for re-use. The code has
polymer. recommended various types of packaging
materials such as PET / LDPE, BOPP /
i) IS: 1360 -Specification for Ethylene LDPE, glassine / LDPE-HDPE containers,
vinyl acetate. cans, glass-bottles, flexible laminated pou-
j) IS:13576-Specification for Ethylene meta ches, plastic film, corrugated fibre-board
acrylic acid. box, LDPE liner bags, paper bags, etc.
Packaging of some foodstuffs and perisha-
Tin and plastic containers once used
bles have been covered. The code has classi-
shall not be re-used for packaging of edible
fied foodstuffs and perishables into the
oils and fats.
following categories in their decreasing
Also, the following BIS standards cover order of perishability.
• Milk and milk products
various related aspects:
IS:9833-1981: Covers standard on per-
mitted pigments and colourants. • Fruit and vegetables
IS:10141-1982: Mentions positive list of • Meat, fish and poultry
constituents of PE in contact with foodstuffs, • Bakery rich foods
pharmaceuticals and drinking water —
covers positive list of constituents, such as • Protein rich foods
PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING
PACKAGING MATERIALS AND PACKAGED
COMMODITIES — LAWS AND REGULATIONS 229

• Edible starches and starch products plastics. The Framework Directive has been
• Oils and fats
implemented by the Materials and Articles
in Contact with Food Regulations 1987, as
• Foodgrains and foodgrain products amended.

• Sugar and honey Scope of the legislation


• Stimulant foods The Framework Directive applies to all
• Alcoholic drinks and carbonated
materials and articles, in their finished
state (which may include, for example,
beverages.
printing inks and adhesive labels), which
Regulations of Australia and are intended to come into contact with food.
New Zealand However, it specifically excludes covering
or coating substances that are part of the
Neither the Australia - New Zealand food and may be eaten with it. Also
Food Standards Code, nor the New Zealand excluded are materials and articles used
Food Regulation 1984 specify details of in public and consumer water supply
materials permitted to be added to or used systems, where separate legislation applies.
to produce food packaging materials.
However, the effect of New Zealand Food Food contact materials and articles are
Act 1981 Section 9 (4) (C) is that the not defined further in the Directive, but
packaging when used must not cause food they clearly include food packaging, cook-
to be unsafe or tainted. ware, cutlery, tableware, work surfaces and
food processing machinery and equipment.
Therefore, it is the responsibility of food
manufacturer and seller to ensure their General statutory requirements for
products are safe and that they comply all food contact materials and articles
with relevant legislation. In practice,
packaging suppliers will need to ensure The Framework Directive states that all
their products are suitable for the intended food contact materials and articles should
use. Compliance with recognized insti- be manufactured using Good Manufactur-
tutional food standards such as those of ing Practice so that in normal use they will
the Europe or US-FDA would be of not transfer their constituents to food in
reasonable evidence that materials are quantities which could endanger health or
suitable for food use. cause unacceptable changes in the
composition of food or a deterioration in
Regulations of European its organoleptic properties such as taste,
Community texture, aroma and appearance.
EC Directive 89/109/EEC sets out the Labelling requirements
scope of the measure. The Framework
Directive sets out the scope of the measures The Framework Directive specifies
on food contact materials and articles, the labelling requirements when materials and
general requirements and provides for articles are sold for food contact use (but
directives on specific materials, such as are not already in contact with food). These

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING


230 Chapter 13

requirements include a symbol, introduced Permitted monomers and starting


by Directive 80/590/EEC, which can be substances
used to indicate that a material is suitable
for food contact use. The chemicals permitted for use in the
manufacture of food contact plastics are
Scope of the plastics legislation restricted. Directive 2002/72/EC
established a ‘positive list’ of approved
Directive 2002/72/EC states that the monomers and starting substances. Food
plastics legislation applies to materials and contact plastics can only be manufactured
articles made exclusively of plastic which, using monomers and other starting
in their finished state, are intended for use substances on the list, although some of
in contact with food. It also applies to the listed chemicals have time limits on
materials and articles made of bonded their use. Many of the monomers and
layers of plastic, but not if one or more of starting substances have restrictions placed
the layers are non-plastic. This excludes, on their use. These are expressed in one of
for example, plastic coatings on paper or the following forms:
• ‘specific migration limit’ (SML);
metal cans, which must meet the general
requirements of the Framework Directive.
• specific migration limit as a total moiety
In 2002/72/EC, ‘plastics’ are defined of substances(s) indicated (SML(T));
broadly as organic polymers. However,
regenerated cellulose film, elastomers and • limit on the residual quantity left in the
rubber, paper and board, surface coatings finished material or article (QM);
containing paraffin or micro-crystalline • limit on the residual quantity left in the
waxes and ion-exchange resins are finished material or article expressed
excluded (because they have, or will have, as a total moiety of substance(s)
their own Directives). indicated (QM(T));
General requirements for plastic food • limit on the residual quantity left in the
contact materials and articles finished material or article expressed
as milligrams per 6 decimetres squared
Directive 2002/72/EC sets a limit on of the surface in contact with the food
the maximum quantity of constituents (QMA);
allowed to transfer (or migrate) out of
• limit on the residual quantity left in the
plastic materials and articles into food. This
finished material or article expressed
‘overall migration limit’ is 10 milligrams
as milligrams of the total of the moiety
per square decimeter of plastic surface
of substances indicated per 6 decimetre
area, in general, or 60 milligrams per
squared of the surface of the material
kilogram of food for containers, or similar
or article in contact with the foodstuff
receptacles, with a capacity of from 0.5 to
(QMA(T)).
10 litres, or which have a contact area that
cannot be determined, and for sealing However, at present, the list does not
devices, such as caps, gaskets and include monomers and starting substances
stoppers. used only in the manufacture of surface

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING


PACKAGING MATERIALS AND PACKAGED
COMMODITIES — LAWS AND REGULATIONS 231

coatings obtained from resinous or for food contact materials; address <http:/
polymerized products such as varnished, /cpf.jrc.it/webpack/>.
lacquers, paints, etc., epoxy resins,
adhesives and adhesion promoters and Testing compliance with migration
printing inks. As a result, these substances limits
can only be used if they comply with the Directives 82/711/EEC, 85/572/EEC,
general requirements of the framework 93/8/EEC and 97/148/EEC lay down the
Directive. rules for testing migration from plastic food
Separate Directives 78/142/EEC, 80/ contact materials to check compliance with
766/EEC and 81/432/EEC, predating the requirements of the plastics legislation.
2002/72/EC, restrict the use of vinyl Migration tests are made using ‘simulants’
chloride monomer in the manufacture of which represent the various food types,
food contact plastics, and lay down the and times and temperatures which match
laboratory methods for testing compliance those foreseeable in use. Details of the
with the restrictions. 78/142/EEC sets a simulants and basic test conditions are
residual limit (QM) of 1 milligram vinyl given in 82/711/EEC, and its second
chloride per kilogram of material or article, amendment 97/48/EEC. The selection of
and a migration limit (SML) of 0.01 simulant for various categories of food is
milligram vinyl chloride per kilogram of laid down in 85/572/EEC.
food. These Directives are implemented by Recent Developments in the
the Materials and Articles in Contact with
Food Regulations 1987.
Food Contact Materials Legislation
The European Commission has
Additives proposed replacing the Framework
There is an ‘incomplete list’ of additives Directive 89/109/EEC. This will take
used in the manufacture of food contact account of the European Food Law
plastics contained in Directive 2002/72/ Regulation and the establishment of the
EC. It is not a ‘positive list’, but rather a European Food Safety Authority. The new
list of additives approved by the European Directive being proposed includes
provision to make ‘measures’, this will
Commission’s Scientific Committee on
provide scope for the Commission to make
Food. Additives not on the list, which meet
directly applicable regulations as well as
the general requirements of the Framework
directives or even other forms of instrument.
Directive, can continue to be used until the
EC regulations are often preferred to
Commission is able to propose a positive
Directives because they have immediate
list.
effect without having to be implemented in
The current status of monomers, national law. In addition, the proposals
starting substances and additives, include general provisions including
including those not yet listed in Directive important definitions on so-called ‘active’
2002/72/EC, is given in the Commission’s and ‘intelligent’ packaging, but other issues
Synoptic Document and Practical Guide are still being discussed within the
both of these documents are published on Commission and have yet to emerge for
the Internet at the Commission’s website negotiation with Member States.

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING


232 Chapter 13

Proposal to amend Directive 93/10/ migration limit (SML) given for a monomer
EEC on regenerated cellulose film has been or additive in the plastic Directive, 2002/
tabled to deal with new types of 72/EC be applied to the same monomer or
regenerated cellulose film with a coating additive when used in a plastic coating,
derived from plastic that is compostible which is currently outside the scope of
and biodegradable. that Directive? In this particular case, the
The Commission is also proposing to European Commission has stated that it
amend Directive 84/500/EEC on ceramics cannot be assumed that the SML will
to ensure comformity with current ISO automatically apply, because the Scientific
standards, to explore broadening its scope Committee on Food may make a different
to include glass and enamel and to explore risk assessment for the coating (although
the use of certificates of compliance. the toxicological status of the substance is
not at issue). However, it may be quite
Meeting the Requirements of the some time before such an assessment is
Legislation Responsibilities under the available from the Committee, and in the
Legislation meantime, it would seem sensible to keep
migration from such coatings within the
It is an offence to sell, use in the course SMLs given 2002/72/EC.
of business or import materials or articles
intended for contact with food which do REGULATIONS OF CANADA
not comply with the food contact materials
The safety of all materials used for
and articles legislation. There is no system
packaging foods is controlled under
of Government approval for food contact
Division 23 of the Food and Drugs Act
materials and articles. Instead, the
and Regulations, Section B.23.0001 which
responsibility for ensuring compliance
prohibits the sale of foods in packages that
with the legislation lies with the manu-
may impart harmful substances to their
facturer, retailer and importer. They have
contents. This regulation puts the onus
to take all reasonable precautions, and
clearly on the food seller (manufacturer,
exercise all due diligence, to avoid
distributor, etc.) to ensure that any
committing an offence. The courts decide
packaging material that is used in the sale
what is reasonable, but for those who
of food products will meet that
produce food contact materials and articles,
requirement.
this may involve conducting migration
tests, while for those who use the materials Premarket Assessments
or articles, it may simply involve obtaining
assurances from the manufacturer that the Because of the general nature of this
product complies. The legislation is requirement, and in the absence of positive
enforced by Trading Standards Officers lists delineating permitted ingredients,
and Environmental Health Officers as packaging materials intended for use with
applicable locally. foods may be submitted voluntarily to the
Food Directorate (FD) for a premarket
Presumptive Standards assessment of their chemical safety in
There is also the issue of ‘presumptive relation to Section B.23.001. This applies
standards’. For example, can a specific to any type of material, whether it is in the

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING


PACKAGING MATERIALS AND PACKAGED
COMMODITIES — LAWS AND REGULATIONS 233

form of a finished product such as a for a new food-contact substance, the


laminated film, a container, etc. or a producer submits information on
formulated product such as a plastic resin, composition, intended use, additive level,
a colour concentrate, etc. In addition, usage temperature, type of food the
suppliers of single additives like substance will contact, and data on
antioxidants, ultra violet absorbers, etc. may migration of the substance into food. The
also independently request letters of FDA uses migration data to estimate
opinion for their own products before consumer exposure to the substance. With
selling them to formulators or converters. the FCN system, the FDA has 120 days to
review the application and object based on
Food Directorate Listings for Polymers safety grounds.
The Food Directorate is now posting on
Office of Food Additive Safety
its website positive lists of polymers for
which letters of no objection have been Food and Drug Administration of the
issued for use in food packaging and other United States, under 21 CFR (2001), vol.3,
food contact applications. The listings Part 177, has published Indirect Food
include the trade name and grade of each Additives to be used in various polymers
polymer, its manufacturer, the date on such as acrylic and modified acrylic
which the no objection letter was issued plastics, cellophane, inomeric resins,
and details of any limitations imposed on fluorocarbon resins, nylon resins,
its food packaging uses. polyethylene, polystyrene, etc.
The Office of Food Additive Safety
REGULATIONS OF UNITED (OFAS) of US FDA, is developing a
STATES database of Cumulative Estimated Daily
Intakes (CEDIs) and Acceptable Daily
In the United States, food packaging
Intakes (ADIs) for a large number of Food
materials including additives in the
Contact Substances (FCSs). This database
polymers, are regulated by the US Food
is referred to as CEDI / ADI database. The
and Drug Administration (FDA). FDA
CEDI and ADIs are based on currently
requirements vary with the end-use of the
available information which are subject to
packaging material, such the type of food
revision.
that will be contacted and usage
temperature. To gain direct food contact • Primarily for Adhesives (21 CFR
approval, materials must meet extracta- 175.105), Paper and paper board
bility requirements. Although regulations components (21 CFR 176) and Polymer
are vague in some areas, the general adjuvants and production aids (21 CFR
principle is that no matter what is in the 178) the CEDI / ADI values are listed.
packaging material, it must not conta-
• The CEDI values are expressed as
minate the food.
dietary concentration (parts-per-billion-
In January 2001, a significant change ppb) and as intake (milligram / kg.
in the FDA approval procedure was body wt / person / day) to facilitate
initiated with new Food Contact comparison to the applicable ADI value
Notification (FCN) system. To get approval for the FCSs).

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING


234 Chapter 13

• Many of FCSs are only regulated for • Fish and fish products;
use under 21 CFR 175.105. In the • Peanuts, soybeans and products of
absence of appropriate information, these;
such as migration studies, on which to
base a numerical estimates of exposure, • Milk and milk products (lactose
FDA assumes a default CEDI of 7 ppb included);
(corresponding to a cumulative intake • Tree nuts and nut products; and
• Sulphite in concentrations of 10
of 0.00035 mg / kg. bw / d).
LABELLING REQUIREMENTS mg/kg or more.
FOR PREPACKED FOODS A specific name shall be used for
Codex Standard ingredients in the list of ingredients except
that;
1985 (Rev.1-1991) of Codex
Alimentarius Commission has brought out a) For ingredients falling in the respective
Codex General Standard for the labelling classes, the following class tittles may
of prepackaged foods. be used, namely:

Salient features of the guidelines are: – Edible vegetable oil / Edible vege-
table fat or both hydrogenated or
1. Prepackaged food shall not be partially.
described in a manner that amounts to
– Hydrogenated oil.
mislead / deceive the consumer.
2. The label shall not have any words, – Starch.
pictures or other devices which directly – Fish.
or indirectly refer to any other product. – Poultry meat.
3. The name of food - it shall be specific
– Cheese.
and not generic.
– Spices herbs / condiments or mixed
4. List of ingredients: All ingredients
spices / herbs / condiments as
under the title ‘Ingredient’ - shall be
appropriate.
mentioned in the descending order of
in-going weight at the time of – Gum base.
manufacture of the food. – Sugar.
5. The following foods and ingredients – Dextrose or Glucose.
are known to cause hypersensitivity
and shall always be declared: – Caseinates.
• Cereals containing gluten; i.e., – Cocoa butter.
wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt or their – Crystallized fruit.
hybridized strains and products of
these; – Milk solids.
• Crustacea and products of these; – Cocoa solids.
• Eggs and egg products; The ingredients of pork fat, lard and

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING


PACKAGING MATERIALS AND PACKAGED
COMMODITIES — LAWS AND REGULATIONS 235

beef fat or extract thereof shall always be ii) The number of grams of protein,
declared by their specific names. available carbohydrate and, per 100
grams or 100 ml of the food as sold
The label shall also contain:
and where appropriate per specified
Name and Address. quantity of the food as suggested for
Country of origin. consumption.
Lot of identification. iii) The total quantity of those specific
nutrients or other components which
Pali marking and storage instruction.
provide the characterizing essential
Instruction for use. feature for the special dietary use for
Any information or pictorial device which the food is intended per 100
written, printed or graphic matter, may be grams or 100 ml of the food as sold
displayed in labelling, provided that it is where appropriate per specified
not in conflict with the mandatory quantity of the food as suggested for
requirements of this rule, and those relating consumption.
to claims and deception. Presentation of Nutrient Content
NUTRITION LABELLING Energy value shall be expressed in KJ
and K cal per 100 g or 100 ml.
Codex hs laid down guidelines for
nutrition labelling of packaged foods in Information on the amounts of protein,
CAC/GL-2-1985 (Rev. 1-1993). Nutrition carbohydrate and fat in the food shall be
labelling serves the following purpose: expressed in g per 100 g or per 100 ml or
providing the consumer with information per package if the package contains only a
about a food so that a wise choice of food single portion. In addition, this infor-
is made. It conveys information of the mation may be given per serving as
nutrient content of a food (on the label). quantified on the label or per portion
provided that the number of portions
Nutrition Claims contained in the package is stated.
Nutrient declaration shall be Numerical information on vitamins and
mandatory for foods for which Nutrition minerals shall be expressed in metric units
Claims are made. Nutrient declaration may and / or as a percentage of the Nutrient
be voluntary for all other foods. Nutritional Reference Value per 100 g or per 100 ml or
Claims shall not be made without per package, if the package contains only
Nutritional Labelling. a single portion. In addition, this infor-
Declaration of Nutrition Information: mation may be given per serving as quanti-
fied on the label or per portion provided
i) The amount of energy per 100 g or the number of portions contained in the
100 ml of the food as sold and where package is stated.
appropriate per specified quantity of
the food as suggested for consum- Nutrition Claim means any represen-
ption, expressed in kilocalories (K cal) tation which states, suggests or implies that
and kilo joules (KJ). a food has particular nutritional properties

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING


236 Chapter 13

including but not limited to the energy foods. Some of the important requirements
value and to the content of protein, fat and are mentioned below:
carbohydrates, as well as the content of
vitamins and minerals. Every package shall carry a label with:

The following Nutrition Claims shall be a) Name, trade name or description of the
prohibited: food contained in the package.
Claims stating that any given food will b) The names of ingredients in descending
provide an adequate source of all essential order of their composition by weight or
nutrients, except in the case of well defined volume.
products for which a standard regulates
c) The name and address of the
such claims as admissible claims.
manufacturer, its weight, batch no., date
Claims implying that a balanced diet of manufacture, best before date shall
or ordinary foods cannot supply adequate be declared.
amounts of nutrients.
d) The food claimed to be enriched with
Claims which cannot be substantiated. nutrients such as minerals, proteins, or
Claims as to the stability of a food for vitamins shall give the quantities of
use in the prevention, attenuation, such added nutrients on the label.
treatment or cure of a disease, disorder or
e) Labels shall not contain false or
particular physiological condition.
misleading statements. Claim, design,
Claims which could give rise to doubt device, fancy name or abbreviation
about the safety of similar food or which which is false and misleading in any
could arouse or exploit fear in the particular concerning the food in the
consumer. package.
Claims that a food has special f) Infant milk substitutes and infant
characteristics. foods—the label shall include:
– When all such foods have the same – Composition of nutrients per 100 g
characteristics shall not be used.
and energy value.
– Terms such as ‘natural’, ‘pure’,
– Instructions for use and preparation.
‘fresh’, ‘home made’, ‘organically
grown’ and ‘biologically grown’ shall – Storage condition.
not be used.
– Batch No., date of manufacture and
– The term ‘incomplete’, ‘comparative’, best before date.
‘superlative’, ‘wholesome’, ‘healthful’
g) Edible Oils and Fats: Expressions such
and ‘sound’ shall not be used.
as Extra refined, Super refined, Micro-
Prevention of Food Adulteration refined, Double-refined, Ultra-refined,
Act 1954 Anti cholesterol, cholesterol-fighter are
not permitted.
Under this Act, Rule 32 has laid down
requirement for packing and labelling of h) Imitations not to be marked “Pure”.

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING


PACKAGING MATERIALS AND PACKAGED
COMMODITIES — LAWS AND REGULATIONS 237

i) Every package of vegetarian food shall BIBLIOGRAPHY


bear ‘green dot’ in a square near the
name of food; similarly non-vegetarian BIS (1982). IS 10141. Positive List of
food, shall bear ‘brown dot’ in a square. Constituents of PE in contact with Food
Stuffs. Bureau of Indian Standards,
Standards of Weights and New Delhi.
Measures Act 1976
BIS (1986). IS 10171. Guide on Suitability
Directorate of Legal Metrology under of Plastics for Food Packaging. Bureau
the Ministry of Food and Consumer Affairs, of Indian Standards, New Delhi.
Government of India is responsible for the
implementation of: BIS (1998). IS 9845. Deterimination of
v Standards of Weights and Measures Act overall migration of Constitutents of
1976 and Standards of Weights and Plastic Materials and Articles intended
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Standards, New Delhi.
v Standards of Weights and Measures
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of Weights and Measures (General) of Prepackaged Foods; Codex-STAN-
Rules, 1987. 001-1985 (Rev 1-1991). www.codexal-
Section 39 of the Act of 1976 (Standards mentarius.net.
Act) lays down provisions for commodities
in packaged form intended to be sold, or Codex Guidelines on Nutrition Labelling.
distributed in the course of inter-state trade Codex / GL 2-1985 (Rev. 1-1993).
or commerce. It says among other things www.codexalimentarius.net.
that “No person shall make, manufacture,
CSIRO (1994). Migration from Plastic
pack, sell, distribute or deliver any
Packaging Materials; Food Science
commodity in packaged form unless such
Australia, Fact sheets, March, 1994,
package bears a definite and conspicuous
www.dfst.csiro.an.
declaration as follows:
n The identity of the commodity in the Food Contact Materials and Articles, Food
package. Standards Agency, www. foodstan
n The net quantity of the commodity in
dards.gov.uk; www. europa.eu.net.
terms of standards unit of weight or Indirect food Additives. Polymers: 21
measure. CFR.177; 21 CFR.175.105; 21 CFR.176;
n Where the commodity is packaged or 21 CFR.178. Code of Federal Regu-
sold by number, the accurate number of lations.us.FDA; Website: www.fda.gov.
commodity contained in the package.
n Name and Address of the Manu-
Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954,
(Amended up to 2004). 26th Edition,
facturers on Packs. 2004; Eastern Book Co., New Delhi;
n The sale price of the package. www.mohfw.nic.in.

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238 Chapter 13

PLASTICS IN FOOD PACKAGING

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