FAO Raises Food Safety Concerns Over Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has warned that the increasing use of recycled plastics and alternative food packaging materials could pose emerging food safety risks if not properly regulated and monitored.

In a newly released 2026 report titled Food Safety Implications of Recycled Plastics and Alternative Food Contact Materials, the UN agency said chemicals from recycled plastics may migrate into food and beverages, potentially exposing consumers to harmful substances.

The report explained that food contact materials (FCMs) — including packaging, containers, cookware, and food-processing surfaces, are essential for reducing food waste and preserving food quality. However, growing global dependence on plastic packaging has also contributed significantly to plastic pollution and waste.

According to the publication, plastics account for about 37 percent of global food packaging materials, while more than two-thirds of all packaging materials produced worldwide are used in the food and beverage sector. The food sector is also the largest consumer of single-use packaging, with roughly 85 percent eventually ending up in landfills or mismanaged waste systems.

The FAO noted that while recycling plastics is increasingly promoted as part of efforts to combat environmental pollution, poorly controlled recycling processes can introduce contaminants into food packaging materials. These include metals, flame retardants, persistent organic pollutants, phthalates, and other non-intentionally added substances capable of migrating into food products.

The report further highlighted growing concerns over microplastics and nanoplastics, which have been detected in food, beverages, and even human tissues such as blood, lungs, breast milk, and the placenta. Researchers cited in the report estimate that humans may ingest between 39,000 and 52,000 microplastic particles annually, with bottled water consumers potentially ingesting far more.

Despite the concerns, the FAO stressed that current scientific evidence remains insufficient to conclusively determine the full health impact of micro- and nanoplastics on humans due to gaps in analytical methods and exposure assessments.

The organization also pointed to the increasing use of alternative packaging materials such as bioplastics and intelligent packaging technologies that use nanomaterials, sensors, and antimicrobial substances to extend shelf life and monitor food freshness. While these technologies may improve sustainability and food preservation, the FAO warned that they could introduce additional chemical safety challenges requiring strict premarket evaluation and regulatory oversight.

The report revealed that more than 16,000 chemicals have been identified in plastics production, with over 4,200 considered potentially hazardous due to toxic, persistent, or bioaccumulative properties.

To strengthen global food safety standards, the Codex Alimentarius Commission is considering new guidance on the safe use of recycled plastics in food packaging following growing interest from member countries.

The FAO said the report aims to support governments and regulators in developing policies that balance environmental sustainability goals with consumer health protection.