Submissions on Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Plastics for Food-Contact Articles
-
This is a list of submissions for which FDA issued a favorable opinion on the suitability of a specific process for producing post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic to be used in the manufacturing of food-contact articles. The list includes the date of our no objection letter (NOL), the company that made the request, the subject plastic, whether the recycling process is physical or chemical, and limitations on the conditions of use for the recycled plastic.
Additional information on the safety of recycled plastics in Food Packaging is found at Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging.
If a listed process is sublicensed to be used by another manufacturer, there is no need for the sublicensing company to obtain a new favorable opinion letter issued to their name, as long as the recycling process and intended use conditions of recycled plastic are exactly the same as described in the original favorable letter listed on this website. The original favorable opinion letter is applicable to the recycling process that FDA reviewed, regardless of which manufacturer uses it.
Download data from this searchable database in Excel format. If you need help accessing information in different file formats, see Instructions for Downloading Viewers and Players.
| Recycle Number | Date of NOL | Company | Polymer | Use Limitations |
Recycling Process (sorted Z-A) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feb 21, 1990 | Dolco Packaging Co. | Polystyrene (PS) | Whole egg cartons | Physical |
| 4 | Mar 13, 1991 | Lewisystems | Polyethylene or Polypropylene | Harvesting crates for fresh fruits and vegetables | Physical |
| 5 | Apr 24, 1991 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Baskets for fresh fruits and vegetables | Physical |
| 6 | May 23, 1991 | Landfill Alternatives, Inc. | Polystyrene (PS) | Whole egg cartons | Physical |
| 8 | Sep 3, 1991 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Fresh fruit and vegetable trays | Physical |
| 11 | Aug 21, 1992 | Repak | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Fresh fruit and vegetable baskets and trilaminate clamshell food-contact containers for short-term contact (< 2 weeks) at room temperature or below (interior layer of post-consumer recycled (PCR) PET is separated from food by at least a 1 mil thick layer of virgin, food-grade PET) | Physical |
| 12 | Aug 25, 1992 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Nonfood-contact layer in containers for short term storage of food (< 2 weeks) at room temperature or below. The interior layer of PCR PET is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade PET ≥1 mil thick. | Physical |
| 14 | Nov 19, 1992 | Lewisystems | Polyethylene and Polypropylene | Containers for storing refrigerated poultry, red meat, and seafood | Physical |
| 15 | Dec 31, 1992 | De Ster U.S. Holding Corp. | Polystyrene (PS) | Nonfood-contact layer of polystyrene airline snack containers used for storing foods for a short period of time (< 2 weeks) and at room temperature or below, providing PCR polystyrene is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade polystyrene ≥1 mil thick. | Physical |
| 16 | Mar 1, 1993 | Dolco Packaging Corp. | Polystyrene (PS) | For use in making trays for holding refrigerated meat, providing the PCR polystyrene was previously used for food-contact applications and there is strict source control. | Physical |
| 17 | Apr 14, 1993 | Continental PET Technologies, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Non-food contact layer in soft drink bottles at room temperature or below, providing recycled PET is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade PET ≥1 mil thick. | Physical |
| 18 | Jun 30, 1993 | Novacor Chemical, Inc. | Polystyrene (PS) | For manufacturing plates, cutlery, trays, cups, containers, and lids for restaurants, providing there is strict source control of PCR polystyrene that was previously used for food-contact applications. | Physical |
| 19 | Jul 1, 1993 | Dolco Packaging Corp. | Polystyrene (PS) | Fruit and vegetable containers, food-service clamshells, and poultry trays, providing there is strict source control. | Physical |
| 20 | Oct 21, 1993 | Fabri-Kal Corp. | Polystyrene (crystal and rubber modified) | Nonfood-contact layer of polystyrene cold drink cups, lids, produce trays, portion cups, and deli food containers, providing PCR polystyrene is from strict sources and is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade polystyrene ≥1 mil thick. Articles are for short term contact (≤12 days) with food at room temperature or below. | Physical |
| 21 | Dec 15, 1993 | Keller & Heckman | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Nonfood-contact layer in packaging for short term storage of food at room temperature or below. The interior layer of PCR PET is separated from food by ≥1 mil thick layer of virgin, food grade PET. | Physical |
| 23 | May 5, 1994 | PET Technologies, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Non-food contact layer in PET articles for holding aqueous, acidic, and low-alcoholic foods under Condition of Use C (Hot filled or pasteurized above 150 °F) and below, providing recycled PET is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade PET ≥1 mil thick, and the food-contact article is used for storage periods not to exceed one year. | Physical |
| 24 | Jun 3, 1994 | KAMA Corp. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Containers for storing fresh fruits and vegetables at room temperature or below. | Physical |
| 25 | Aug 3, 1994 | Creative Forming, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Containers for storing fresh fruits and vegetables at room temperature or below, providing PCR PET comes from food-contact articles. | Physical |
| 26 | Aug 24, 1994 | Johnson Controls, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Food containers in contact with all types of food under Condition of Use A or below. | Physical |
| 27 | Nov 16, 1994 | FP Corp. | Polystyrene (PS) | Nonfood-contact layer of polystyrene containers for short term contact (6-8 hours) with food at 50 °F or below, providing post-consumer polystyrene is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade polystyrene ≥1 mil thick. | Physical |
| 28 | Dec 5, 1994 | Wellman, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Containers for storing fresh fruits and vegetables at room temperature or below, providing PCR PET comes from articles used for food-contact applications. | Physical |
| 29 | Feb 22, 1995 | Health Products International | High density polyethylene (HDPE) | Nonfood contact layer of a bottle for packaging dry dietary supplements, providing PCR HDPE is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade HDPE ≥12 mils thick. | Physical |
| 30 | Feb 28, 1995 | Continental PET Technologies, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Corrected our letter of 5/5/94 by removing restrictions on conditions of use and time of storage. | Physical |
| 31 | Mar 20, 1995 | Flagstar | Polystyrene (PS) | Nonfood-contact layer of polystyrene clam shells and other food service containers, providing PCR polystyrene is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade polystyrene ≥1 mil thick, the PCR polystyrene was previously used for food-contact applications and there is strict source control, and the containers are limited to contact with hot and cold foods for only a few minutes. | Physical |
| 32 | May 11, 1995 | Wellman, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Nonfood contact layer in containers for limited food contact applications for short term storage periods at room temperature or below, providing recycled PET is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade PET ≥1 mil thick, and the PCR is from reclaimed food-contact articles. | Physical |
| 33 | Jul 17, 1995 | ELM Packaging Co. | Polystyrene (PS) | Nonfood-contact layer of polystyrene containers, providing PCR polystyrene is separated from food by a layer of food grade virgin polystyrene ≥1 mil thick, the PCR polystyrene was previously used for food-contact applications and there is strict source control, and the containers are limited for """"fast food"""" service applications to contact hot and cold foods (i.e., those involving refrigerated or room temperatures or, if higher temperatures are involved, contact is limited to very short time frames). | Physical |
| 34 | Jul 3, 1995 | FP Corp. | Polystyrene (PS) | Nonfood-contact layer of polystyrene containers for short term contact (2-3 days) with all food types at 50 °F or below, providing PCR polystyrene is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade polystyrene ≥1 mil thick. | Physical |
| 35 | Aug 29, 1995 | Wellman, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Nonfood contact layer in containers for limited food contact applications, providing PCR PET is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade PET ≥1 mil thick, the food-contact article is used for short term storage periods at room temperature or below, and the amount of PCR PET from nonfood applications does not exceed 0.6%. | Physical |
| 36 | Sep 25, 1995 | Envision Plastics, a division of Altium Packaging LP | High density polyethylene (HDPE) | Nonfood contact layer in a 2 or 3 layer bottle in contact with dry food with no free surface fat at room temperature or below, providing that the PCR HDPE is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade HDPE ≥4 mil thick, and the PCR HDPE was previously used for food-contact applications. | Physical |
| 38 | Nov 2, 1995 | Ultra Pac, Inc. | Crystallized PET (C-PET) | C-PET cake pans produced from old commercial C-PET cake pans, providing there is strict source control. | Physical |
| 40 | Mar 13, 1996 | Wellman, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | For use in contact with aqueous and acidic foods under Condition of Use C or less severe conditions, and fatty and alcoholic foods under Condition of Use D or less severe conditions, providing PCR PET is from food containers collected through a bottle deposit system. | Physical |
| 41 | Apr 4, 1996 | Enviroplastics | High density polyethylene (HDPE) | Produce bags from recycled milk jugs | Physical |
| 43 | May 2, 1996 | Wellman, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | For use in contact with dry, aqueous, and acidic foods under Condition of Use C or less severe conditions, and fatty and alcoholic foods under Condition of Use D or less severe conditions, providing PCR PET is from food containers collected through a bottle deposit system and recycled PET complies with 21 CFR 177.1630. | Physical |
| 44 | Jul 25, 1996 | Plastipak Packaging, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Non-food contact layer in PET containers for holding foods of all types under Condition of Use C (Hot filled or pasteurized above 150 °F) and below, providing recycled PET is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade PET ≥1 mil thick. | Physical |
| 46 | Jan 17, 1997 | Perstorp Xytec, Inc. | High density polyethylene (HDPE) | Crates for holding fruits and vegetables at room temperature or below for up to 10 months, providing PCR HDPE is from food-contact articles. | Physical |
| 47 | Jan 28, 1997 | Health Products International | High density polyethylene (HDPE) | Bottles for packaging dry dietary supplements, providing PCR HDPE is obtained from milk jugs. | Physical |
| 48 | Jun 6, 1997 | Wellman, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | For use in contact with dry and aqueous foods under Condition of Use C or less severe conditions, and fatty foods under Condition of Use D or less severe conditions, providing PCR PET is from food containers collected through a bottle deposit system, and recycled PET complies with 21 CFR 177.1630. | Physical |
| 50 | Dec 18, 1997 | Enviroplastics | High density polyethylene (HDPE) | Berry baskets and produce trays, provided PCR HDPE is obtained from milk jugs. | Physical |
| 51 | Jan 5, 1998 | Crown Cork and Seal Co., Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Articles for contact with aqueous, acidic, and low alcoholic foods (15% or less) under Condition of Use C or less severe conditions. | Physical |
| 52 | Jan 16, 1998 | Envision Plastics, a division of Altium Packaging LP | High density polyethylene (HDPE) | For packaging aqueous and/or acidic food under Conditions of Use C through H, providing PCR HDPE is from bottles used in food-contact applications. | Physical |
| 53 | Jul 21, 1998 | PET Technologies, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Non-food contact layer in PET bottles for holding high-alcoholic and fatty foods under Condition of Use D (Hot filled or pasteurized below 150 °F) and below, providing recycled PET is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade PET ≥1 mil thick, and the food-contact article is used for storage periods not to exceed one year. | Physical |
| 54 | Oct 2, 1998 | Pure Tech Plastics, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Articles for contact with aqueous, acidic, low alcoholic (8% or less), and dry foods at room temperature (120 °F) or below. | Physical |
| 55 | Dec 29, 1998 | Clean Tech, Inc. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Articles for contact with all types of food under Condition of Use A (High temperature heat -sterilized (e.g., over 212 °F)) and less severe conditions. | Physical |
| 56 | Dec 29, 1998 | Dolco Packaging Corp. | Polystyrene (PS) | Fruit and vegetable containers, food-service clamshells, and meat and poultry trays, providing the recycled polystyrene is obtained from pre-consumer sources and there is strict source control. | Physical |
| 57 | Apr 13, 1999 | OHL Apparatebau & Verfahrenstechnik GmbH | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Articles for contact with all types of food at room temperature (120 °F) or below, providing PCR PET comes from food-contact articles, and the recycled PET complies with 21 CFR 177.1630. | Physical |
| 58 | Aug 10, 1999 | Phoenix Technologies, L.P. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Articles for contact with dry (no surface fat or oil), aqueous, acidic, and low-alcohol (<15%) foods at room temperature and below, provided the pcr pet comes from containers previously used for food and non-food applications (excluding industrial pet containers) obtained from deposit and curbside recycling programs, and the recycled pet complies with 21 177.1630. | Physical |
| 59 | Aug 10, 1999 | Phoenix Technologies, L.P. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Articles for contact with dry (no surface fat or oil), aqueous, acidic, and low-alcohol (<15%) foods at room temperature and below, provided the pcr pet comes from containers previously used for food and non-food applications (excluding industrial pet containers) obtained from deposit and curbside recycling programs, and the recycled pet complies with 21 177.1630. | Physical |
| 60 | Feb 1, 2000 | United Resource Recovery Corp. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Articles for contact with dry (no surface fat or oil), aqueous, acidic, and low-alcohol (<15%) foods at room temperature and below, provided the pcr pet comes from containers previously used for food and non-food applications (excluding industrial pet containers) obtained from deposit and curbside recycling programs, and the pcr pet complies with 21 177.1630 or 177.1315. | Physical |
| 61 | Feb 3, 2000 | Ivex Packaging Corp. | Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Nonfood-contact layer in packaging for applications at room temperature or below. The interior layer of PCR PET is separated from food by ≥1 mil thick layer of virgin, food grade PET. | Physical |
| 62 | Aug 1, 2000 | Polystyrene Recycling Company of America | Polystyrene (PS) | For manufacturing trays for holding refrigerated meat/poultry, fruit/vegetable containers and food-service clam shells, providing the PCR polystyrene was previously used for food-contact applications and there is strict source control. Additionally, the PCR polystyrene may be used as the blending component of a nonfood-contact layer of polystyrene containers, plates, and cutlery, providing PCR polystyrene is separated from food by a layer of virgin, food grade polystyrene ≥1 mil thick, the PCR polystyrene was previously used for food-contact applications and there is strict source control, and the articles are limited for """"fast food"""" service applications to contact hot and cold foods (i.e., those involving refrigerated or room temperatures or, if higher temperatures are involved, contact is limited to very short time frames). | Physical |
If a listed process is sublicensed to be used by another manufacturer, there is no need for the sublicensing company to obtain a new favorable opinion letter issued to their name, as long as the recycling process and intended use conditions of recycled plastic are exactly the same as described in the original favorable letter listed on this website. The original favorable opinion letter is applicable to the recycling process that FDA reviewed, regardless of which manufacturer uses it.
| Recycle Number | Date of NOL | Company | Polymer | Use Limitations |
Recycling Process (sorted Z-A) |
|---|
-
