The recently approved Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation establishes mandatory targets for the progressive reuse of packaging, particularly in the food and drink sector. However, standardized procedures to evaluate the food safety risks associated with this reuse are currently lacking. In response, AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, is spearheading the SAFEREUSE project. This initiative aims to assess the risks related to reusable plastic food and drink packaging when exposed to high temperatures, such as those found in microwaves and dishwashers. Funded by the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), SAFEREUSE will also develop a robust methodology to ensure food safety and protect consumer health while facilitating compliance with regulatory standards.
Through in vitro bioassays, SAFEREUSE will thoroughly analyze NIAS (non-intentionally added substances) and MPs (microplastics) that may be released from reusable plastic materials. This analysis will confirm their safety. “These short-term bioassays also play an increasingly important role in identifying toxicological risks,” explained Mª Carmen Moreno, a researcher at the Food Contact and Packaging Laboratory at AIMPLAS.
One of the project’s significant challenges is the absence of standardized procedures for comprehensively assessing these risks. Thus, SAFEREUSE emerges as an innovative initiative within the sector. “Its development will provide a reliable methodology to help market surveillance authorities, manufacturers, and retailers ensure that reusable packaging complies with safety requirements,” the researcher highlighted.
Furthermore, by validating the methodologies designed for analyzing NIAS and MPs, the project bolsters trust in the safety of plastic products intended for microwaves and dishwashers. “This could help shift negative perceptions and promote a more realistic and balanced view of plastics, their health impacts, and their environmental footprint,” Moreno added.
Impact on Food Safety, Public Health, and Consumers
SAFEREUSE marks a pivotal advancement in the safety of reusable food and drink packaging, ensuring that the increased usage of these materials in the food industry does not jeopardize consumer health. By engaging in this project, AIMPLAS aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 8, 9, and 12, thus fostering enhanced safety in reusable plastic materials and minimizing exposure to unwanted substances.
The research findings “will improve the consumer experience by providing personalized, data-driven recommendations. This will enable users to make informed decisions and adopt safer consumption practices in their daily lives,” concluded Mª Carmen Moreno.
Additionally, this project gives companies a competitive advantage in the increasingly stringent realm of food safety. It collaborates with Pohuer Creative Injection, S.L. and Great Plastic, S.L.U., both key players in the manufacturing and development of plastic materials.
This initiative is part of the IVACE+i aid program for non-economic R&D projects conducted by technology centers in the Valencian Community in partnership with companies for the 2024 fiscal year. It is supported by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the 2021–2027 Operational Program.
