The IAFNS Packaging Safety & Sustainability Committee mobilizes members from government, industry and academia to drive, fund and lead actionable science in support of public health.
Through its tripartite model—bringing together scientists from government, academia, and industry—the Packaging Safety & Sustainability Committee funds external researchers and convenes experts to promote the recycling and sustainability of food packaging while maintaining and enhancing its safety.
The Committee works to expand scientific knowledge on toxicology, exposure and risk assessment of food packaging substances and potential contaminants. The committee also works to identify and resolve barriers to adoption of safe, recycled packaging in support of a more sustainable food supply.
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Despite advances in recycling science, hurdles remain to the utilization of recycled plastics. Some of those constraints arise from the potential contact of material to be recycled with hazardous or restricted substances which limit or restrict their use for applications such as food contact. This effort will generate an in-depth survey of the plastic recycling landscape and identify safety issues and potential solutions to the increased adoption of recycled plastic. Results will also identify restricted and non-intentionally added substances in recycled material along with mitigation options to advance “clean” recycled plastics for safe re-use in food contact applications.
Tracking the Fate of Additives in Recycled Plastics through Multiple Simulated Life Cycles
Research question: What are the technical, quality, safety, and migration impacts of recycling Polypropylene multiple times? Most companies have made sustainability commitments that will require […]
Exposure Characterization of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Foods
FCS and Packaging Committee Project: Exposure Characterization of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Foods The volume of plastics produced globally every year has steadily increased over […]
Framework for Defining Suitable Recycled Resin Based on Intended End-Use and Characterizing Potential Chemicals of Concern
Advancing Standards for Recycled Plastics Changes in consumer behavior and growth in convenience foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products complicates the use of recycled materials by […]
Comparison of Recycled Polypropylene Sourced From Food and Nonfood Applications for Direct Food Contact Use
Packaging Technology & Science, 2026
Polypropylene is a widely used polymer in packaging applications, which is often landfilled as part of #3–7 bales from material recovery facilities. This article explores recycling impacts and potential food contact use.
Analysis of Postconsumer Plastic Wash Water From Different Washing Methods
Advances in Materials Science & Engineering, 2025
This study addresses the quality of post-consumer plastic wash water which is essential for safe recycled plastic production, especially in food-contact applications.
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Do We Know Enough to Assess Health Risks Posed by Micro- and Nanoplastics?
December 11, 2025
Virtual, Event
IAFNS teamed up with AOAC INTERNATIONAL for a webinar that addressed knowledge and data gaps required for human health risk assessment of micro- and nanoplastic particles.
Read more about Do We Know Enough to Assess Health Risks Posed by Micro- and Nanoplastics?
Expert Roundtable on Food Packaging Sustainability
May 9, 2025
Virtual, Event
The IAFNS Food Packaging Committee held an invitation-only packaging sustainability roundtable on May 9, 2025.
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