Proposal for regulation on active and intelligent food contact materials (England)

This consultation describes the current state of play on the issue, the likely timetable as can be best judged at the moment and seeks your views on the idea being put forward. An earlier version of the working document was the subject of an informal consultation in August 2006; since then, it has been the subject of further discussion. The EC is now conducting its own consultation amongst Member States of the EU and other interested organisations on the latest version. That consultation will end in September 2008.

Draft Working Document on active and intelligent materials and articles intended to come into contact with food – EMB/1127rev3

The general principles on all food contact materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs are established in Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004. It includes ‘active’ and ‘intelligent’ materials and articles, which are defined as:

• ‘active food contact materials and articles’ means materials and articles that are intended to extend the shelf-life or to maintain or improve the condition of packaged food. They are designed to deliberately incorporate components that would release or absorb substances into or
  from the packaged food or the environment surrounding the food;
• ‘intelligent food contact material and articles’ means materials and articles which monitor the conditions of packaged food or the environment surrounding the food;
• The provisions also include general safety, changes to the composition and properties of the food; release of substances into the food, labelling of released substances in accordance with rules on food labelling; labelling of non-edible parts and labelling to identify that the
  materials is active or intelligent;
• Consumers must not be misled through changes in food or information given about the condition of food; and
• Information for consumers and food packers on how to use active and intelligent materials and articles safely and appropriately in compliance with food law.

The full requirements contained in the working document are discussed below.

This consultation has been prepared in accordance with the HM Government Code of Practice on Consultation, which states that a consultation must follow better regulation best practice, including carrying out an Impact Assessment (Regulatory Impact Assessment in Scotland). The assessment is included in the consultation documents.

We are interested in what you thought of this consultation and would therefore welcome your general feedback on both the consultation package and overall consultation process. If you would like to assist us to improve the quality of future consultations, please feel free to share your thoughts with us by using the consultation feedback questionnaire.

Consultation feedback questionnaire (Word)

Consultation feedback questionnaire (pdf)

In accordance with the FSA principle of openness our Information Centre at Aviation House will hold a copy of the completed consultation. Responses will be open to public access upon request. The FSA will also publish a summary of responses, which may include personal data, such as your full name and contact address details. If you do not want this information to be released, please complete and return the Publication of Personal Data Form. Return of this form does not mean that we will treat your response to the consultation as confidential, just your personal data.

Data protection form (Word)

Data protection form (pdf)

Within three months of a consultation ending we aim to publish a summary of responses received and provide a link to it from this page.

If, after three months, the summary is still not showing, please contact the person who was responsible for the original consultation. Alternatively, you can contact Judith Taylor, the FSA Consultation Co-ordinator, on 020 7276 8633.
Email: judith.taylor@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk