The materials themselves are manufactured with a natural composite material such as bamboo and other similar plant-based materials. 

The vast amount of non-compliant Food Contact Materials are made of Melamine products containing bamboo, with other plant-based materials used as additives. 

These include the following:

• Rice Husk

• Wheat Straw

• Coffee Grounds

• Polylactic Acid Products with maize additives

 SCPHA (Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority) have released the following statement:

“Any level of plant-based materials within a plastic is deemed as an additive, even if the material makes up the biggest proportion of the product. Such products are non-compliant and cannot be imported.

However, FCMs consisting solely of plant-based materials are considered to be compliant, as these are not covered by retained Regulation (EU) No 10/2011.”

What happens to the Materials upon entry to the UK?

The SCPHA have been advised by the Foods Standards Agency to intervene over importation of non-compliant FCMs at the ports of Felixstowe, Harwich and Ipswich, to help prevent their entry onto the UK Market.



Further information can be found at www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/news/notice-to-retailers-plastic-containers-or-utensils-containing-bamboo