New food packaging restricted chemicals resource created by Iowa State researchers

AMES, Iowa – The challenge of minimizing risks from chemical contaminants in food packaging just got easier.

New research out of Iowa State University pulls together regulated and restricted chemical substances in a new resource for stakeholders and manufacturers to reference.

The study, supported by the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences, surveyed and compiled publicly available restricted substance lists to identify chemicals of concern—a high priority in designing food contact materials. FCMs include multilayer plastic and paper packaging, can coatings, single layer paper and plastic packaging, food preparation utensils and surfaces. Each of these materials contain many components such as adhesives, pigments, antioxidants, sealants and others to function properly.

Researchers with Iowa State’s Polymer and Food Protection Consortium carefully reviewed and analyzed global chemical lists and regulations to create a resource for stakeholders and manufacturers in the food packaging sector. This resource can be referenced when designing new food packaging.

“This work can serve as a framework for converters, brand owners and regulatory decision makers for updating or developing new restricted substance lists to mitigate potential risks of hazardous chemicals to human and environmental health in the packaging industry,” said Greg Curtzwiler, associate professor of food science and human nutrition.

The chemicals addressed in the study included phthalates, bisphenol, PFAS, flame retardants, heavy metals and others. Such chemical substances can be released during the life cycle of plastics, potentially affecting human health, the environment and recycling systems.

This study compiles regulations, threshold limits, and typical FCM applications from restricted substance lists developed by domestic and international stakeholders.

“While this work is not intended to create a master restricted substance list with all chemicals described, it helps provide context to why some chemicals are frequently found on them,” Curtzwiler said. “This research can help facilitate converters to move toward safer, greener alternatives in their products and processes.”

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