Thailand Considers Allowing Recycled Food-Contact Plastic, Requests Information

The Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering updating the country’s regulations on plastic food contact materials to allow for the use of recycled plastic in contact with food. As part of that review, the Thai FDA has requested information on chemicals used in the manufacture of certain plastic food-contact materials (FCMs). It appears that the Thai FDA is considering revising Ministry of Health Notification No. 295 (2005) on plastic food containers to permit the use of these recycled resins.

The questionnaire published by the Thai FDA focuses on food contact materials composed of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The information generated from the completed questionnaires will be used to determine safety standards for both types of materials. Responses to the Thai FDA questionnaire are due April 10, 2020. An announcement about recycled plastic and FCMs and a link to the questionnaire can be found on the Thai FDA website (in Thai).