Hazards in Food Contact Packaging

What hazards are associated with food contact packaging? 

Do you have a specific type of packaging you are referring to? Or just in general.

All one can think of - biological, physical, chemical, radiological. What type of pkg materials and food product?

I should have clarified - roll stock, PET Bottles, Bags.   I am looking at the risks associated with B,C,P, A.   What specific risks do you identify? 

The biggest thing - making sure the packaging is for food use - so a statement from the supplier or on the spec. 

Plus using it as intended - plastic bottles made for hot packed items, etc. 

Other hazards - the package is free from physical hazards and clean before use. 

Your suppliers of these materials should be in compliance with food safety. Then you can run risk analysis. 

Hi Bingo67,

A lot of the hazards are generic and can be controlled by good manufacturing practices and hygienic handling.

Typical Physical Hazards

Glass and brittle plastics

Blades

Pests

Dust and dirt

Wood splinters

Hairs

Jewellery and personal items

Off-cuts

Broken packaging (when using brittle packaging)

Typical Chemical Hazards

Chemical Migration - See Food packaging’s materials: A food safety perspective

Lubricants containing allergens

Cleaning chemicals

Typical Micro Hazards

Yeasts & Moulds - Cause spoilage in food but can lead to Toxin production, so sometimes categorised as chemical

Pathogens - due to poor hygienic handling practices

The main concerns are that the packaging is suitable for intended use (e.g. microwaving with ready meals) and is suitable for the food/drink you are manufacturing. Your supplier should provide assurance on both in writing and provide chemical migration certificates for the packaging they provide.

Kind regards,

Tony

PFAs is a big one too. 

hi ;)

a little bit more about migration 

Shipping container contamination - Are packaging materials shipped in vessels containing non food items (such as cleaners, chemicals, allergens)?