Jakarta \u2013 The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)\nhas warned that the use of recycled plastic for food packaging requires\nstricter oversight to prevent the risk of chemical contamination in\nfood.<\/p>\n
In its latest report, the FAO states that recycling plastic can help\nreduce the global waste crisis, but an uncontrolled system could create\nnew problems for food safety.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlastic waste is a growing global problem. Better and more effective\nrecycling is fundamental and part of the solution,\u201d said Vittorio\nFattori, FAO food safety officer, as quoted from its official website on\nThursday, 14 May 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, while we need to improve in reducing plastic pollution and\nincreasing recycling, we must ensure that in trying to solve one problem\nin one area, we do not create a new one.\u201d<\/p>\n
The FAO explains that food packaging has stricter safety standards\nthan other recycled products because it comes into direct contact with\nhuman consumption. Plastic materials can contain thousands of chemicals\nfrom production processes such as stabilisers, colourants, and\nplasticisers.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the recycling process can add risks of contamination\nfrom heavy metals, flame retardants, to persistent organic compounds.\nThe FAO notes that recycled plastic can be safer if it undergoes strict\ncleaning and decontamination processes as well as strong regulatory\nsupervision.<\/p>\n
The value of the global food packaging market itself continues to\nincrease, from around US$505 billion or the equivalent of Rp8,585\ntrillion in 2024 to more than US$815 billion or approximately Rp13,855\ntrillion in the 2030 projection.<\/p>\n
However, the FAO records that less than 10 percent of global plastic\nwaste is currently successfully recycled, although the figure is\nestimated to increase with sustainability policy pushes in various\ncountries.<\/p>\n
The FAO also highlights alternative materials such as bioplastics,\nplant fibres, and protein-based materials that are now starting to be\nwidely used. Although often touted as environmentally friendly, these\nmaterials do not always break down naturally and still carry potential\nrisks.<\/p>\n
Some plant-based materials can contain pesticide residues or heavy\nmetals from agricultural processes, while protein-based materials have\nthe potential to trigger the transfer of allergens such as gluten to\nfood.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/food-packaging-business-reaches-trillions-risks-of-recycled-plastic-use-highlighted-1778781552", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }