Meaning
European food safety authority guidelines establish a test methodology to validate the cleaning efficiency of recycling processes by infusing plastics with specific chemical surrogates before decontamination. The efsa surrogate decontamination standard ensures that recycled plastics, particularly polyethylene terephthalate, are safe for direct food contact. Recycling machinery must demonstrate a high percentage reduction of these added challenge chemicals.
Challenge Chemicals
Selected compounds representing different chemical classes (such as polar, non polar, volatile, and non volatile) are introduced to simulate worst case contamination scenarios. The test measures how effectively the washing and extrusion steps remove these substances from the polymer matrix. Achieving the target removal efficiency proves the safety of the recycling process.
Process Validation
Equipment manufacturers must run specific trial batches under controlled conditions to gain regulatory approval. The cleaning process, which often involves high vacuum and elevated temperatures, must operate within strict limits to replicate the validated test results. This step is a prerequisite for commercializing recycled food-grade resins.
Recycling Output
Food grade recycled resin commands a higher market price when it meets these stringent decontamination thresholds. If the decontamination process fails to achieve the required surrogate reduction, the output must be diverted to non food applications. This economic reality drives the need for optimized vacuum times and consistent operating temperatures during extrusion.
Moulders who purchase certified resins can rely on these values to ensure their final molded containers comply with food contact regulations without undergoing separate, costly challenge tests on the finished articles.
