Charo Pascual AIMPLAS
The newly approved Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation sets mandatory targets for the progressive reuse of packaging. However, there are currently no standardized procedures to assess the food safety risks associated with this reuse. In response, AIMPLAS, the Plastics Technology Centre, is leading the SAFEREUSE project, which aims to evaluate the risks associated with reusable plastic food packaging when exposed to high temperatures in microwaves and dishwashers. Funded by the Valencian Institute of Competitiveness and Innovation (IVACE+i) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the initiative also seeks to establish a methodology that guarantees food safety and consumer health protection, while providing a system to support compliance with regulatory requirements.
Through in vitro bioassays, SAFEREUSE will complete the analysis of NIAS (non-intentionally added substances) and MPs (microplastics) that may be released from reusable plastic materials, ensuring their safety. “These short-term bioassays also play an increasingly important role in identifying toxicological risks,” explained Mª Carmen Moreno, researcher at the Food Contact and Packaging Laboratory at AIMPLAS.
One of the main challenges of the project is the lack of standardized procedures to comprehensively assess these risks, making SAFEREUSE an innovative initiative in the sector. “Its development will provide a reliable methodology to help market surveillance authorities, manufacturers, and retailers ensure that reusable packaging complies with safety requirements,” the researcher emphasized.
Moreover, by demonstrating the validity of the methodologies developed for analyzing NIAS and MPs, the project contributes to building trust in the safety of plastic products used in microwaves and dishwashers. “This could help shift negative perceptions and promote a more realistic and balanced view of plastics, their health impacts, and their environmental footprint,” Moreno added.
Impact on Food Safety, Public Health and Consumers
SAFEREUSE represents a significant step forward in the safety of reusable food packaging, ensuring that the growing use of these materials in the food industry does not compromise consumer health. With this project, AIMPLAS aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 8, 9, and 12, promoting greater safety in reusable plastic materials and reducing the risk of exposure to unwanted substances.
In this regard, the research results “will improve the consumer experience by providing personalized, data-driven recommendations. This will enable users to make informed decisions and adopt safer consumption practices in their daily lives,” concluded Mª Carmen Moreno.
The project also gives companies a competitive edge in the increasingly demanding field of food safety. It is being carried out in collaboration with Pohuer Creative Injection, S.L. and Great Plastic, S.L.U., two key companies in the manufacturing and development of plastic materials.
This project is part of the IVACE+i aid program for non-economic R&D projects carried out by technology centres in the Valencian Community in collaboration with companies for the 2024 fiscal year. It is funded by the European Union’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the 2021–2027 Operational Program.