Several countries in the European Union (EU) have announced bans on the importation of food contact products made from bamboo-melamine. In some cases, these countries also require the removal of these products from the market.

Country responses include:
• Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg (Benelux countries) – requires operators to withdraw food contact ‘bamboo-melamine’ plastics immediately (enforcement from Q2 2021)
• Finland – ban on the importation of food contact plastic materials containing bamboo fiber or unauthorized vegetable fibers + withdrawal from sale
• Ireland – ban on food contact plastics containing unauthorized additives derived from bamboo
• Spain – has reminded operatives that food contact plastics containing bamboo fibers, etc. are not authorized under the Food Contact Plastics Regulation and are therefore not permitted on EU markets + recommendation to remove articles from sale

Stakeholders should also be aware that Austria has rejected cups and tableware made from a mix of bamboo fibers, melamine and maize on several occasions and issued notifications via the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed portal (RASFF portal).

These announcements follow a 2020 note by the Expert Working Group on Food Contact Materials (FCM) covering food contact plastic materials and articles containing ground bamboo (‘bamboo-melamine’) or other similar constituents. This concluded that ground bamboo, bamboo flour, and many similar substances, such as corn, are not in the Union List of Authorized Substances (Union List) in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 10/2011 (Food Contact Plastics Regulation). Products containing these additives are therefore not in compliance with regulatory compositional requirements.

Stakeholders should be aware that authorization has been given for:
• Wood flour and fibers, untreated
• Sunflower seed hulls

Additionally, the specific migration values for melamine and formaldehyde in products made with bamboo additives have often been found to be substantially higher than those permitted under the Food Contact Plastics Regulation.

SGS Food Contact Materials Services
SGS’s technical experts have extensive experience of testing materials and articles in contact with food. They can ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. SGS offers the full range of testing, including migration tests, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. Learn more about SGS’s Food Contact Materials Services. [http://www.sgs.com/fcm]

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Several EU Member States Announce the Prohibition of Food Contact Bamboo-Melamine Plastics SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2021/03/safeguards-03021-several-eu-member-states-announce-the-prohibition-of-food-contact-bamboo]

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For further information contact:

Dr. Udo Krischke
Global Technical Manager RSTS
Tel: +49 6128 744 235

Dr. HingWo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: (+852) 2774 7420

Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

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SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.