Safety and Associated Legislation of Selected Food Contact Bio-Based Packaging

Bio-based material is mooted as an innovative alternative to conventional plastic because it is eco-friendly. Despite the benefits bio-based food contact materials can bring, there have been increasing concerns from the public regarding the potential risk of the leaching of chemical substances from packaging material to a food product. Thus, this chapter will explore the safety and regulation of selected polymers. Using a systematic review, many of the studies revealed that the consumption of cellulose and its derivatives at the micro-scale level does not pose a threat to public health and is thus permitted by the Food and Drug Administration and the European Union (EU). Nonetheless, most of the studies reported that nanocellulose could be harmful to the public. There is an agreement among researchers that the consumption of chitosan in any form may cause minor health risks or pose no risks. Hence, chitosan on a micro-scale is approved by the EU regulation, except for chitosan nanoparticles.