The Plastic

Each of us use plastic containers to store food. However, many do not know that, under each of these, there is a number corresponding to the plastic material of which it consists: if, for example, reads a 3 means that that container was made with PVC (polyvinyl chloride), that is, a type of plastic with toxic effects on the organism because containing DEHA, substance that accumulates through the fatty such as in the packaging of the meat.The transfer of chemicals from the plastic recycled to food is a matter of great importance to the health of consumers and it should be paid special attention to ensure a high level of security along the supply chain of food distribution.EFSA has set itself the objective is to identify the most secure technologies for reuse this plastic material widely used as packaging, such as container and still in close contact with food and beverages. The most relevant to consumer safety are: the decontamination of the material in order to reduce levels of chemical residues and quality of the plastic to be recycled.The plastic can be subjected to the contamination by chemical substances that make it not suitable for contact with food: for this reason it is important that the recycling process provides a good sanitation and decontamination.That’s because the plastic started to recycle can be used only if the levels of potential migration of any chemical residue no risk to human health. EFSA assessments of the safety of the mechanical process of recycling plastics: the quality of the starting material, such as plastic is collected, reduced to small pieces and decontaminated before being processed into new materials and what they will use in the food chain.