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. 2018 Feb 2;16(2):e05121.
doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5121. eCollection 2018 Feb.

Safety assessment of the active substances carboxymethylcellulose, acetylated distarch phosphate, bentonite, boric acid and aluminium sulfate, for use in active food contact materials

EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF); Vittorio Silano, Claudia Bolognesi, Kevin Chipman, Jean-Pierre Cravedi, Karl-Heinz Engel, Paul Fowler, Roland Franz, Konrad Grob, Rainer Gürtler, Trine Husøy, Sirpa Kärenlampi, Wim Mennes, Maria Rosaria Milana, Karla Pfaff, Gilles Riviere, Jannavi Srinivasan, Maria de Fátima Tavares Poças, Christina Tlustos, Detlef Wölfle, Holger Zorn, Martine Kolf-Clauw, Eugenia Lampi, Kettil Svensson, Ellen Van Haver, Laurence Castle

Safety assessment of the active substances carboxymethylcellulose, acetylated distarch phosphate, bentonite, boric acid and aluminium sulfate, for use in active food contact materials

EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) et al. EFSA J. .

Abstract

This scientific opinion of the EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF Panel) deals with the safety evaluation of the active substances carboxymethylcellulose, acetylated distarch phosphate (FCM substance No 1071), bentonite, boric acid and aluminium sulfate (FCM substance No 1072). The mixture is intended to be used as a liquid absorber in the packaging of perishable foods to extend their shelf-life. All substances have been evaluated and approved for use as additives in plastic food contact materials and/or as food additives. Migration of boron into foods was up to 0.7 mg/kg food. Migration of aluminium was not detected (limit of detection (LOD) of 0.001 mg/kg). The CEF Panel concludes that the substances carboxymethylcellulose, acetylated distarch phosphate, bentonite, boric acid and aluminium sulfate are not of safety concern for the consumer when used as active components in moisture and liquid absorbers. The absorbent pads must be used under conditions in which direct contact between the active mixture and the food is avoided and the fluid absorption capacity of the absorber is not exceeded.

Keywords: FCM substance Nos 1071 and 1072; acetylated distarch phosphate; active and intelligent materials; bentonite; boric acid and aluminium sulfate; carboxymethylcellulose; food contact materials; safety assessment.

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References

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    1. European Commission , 2001. Guidelines of the Scientific Committee on Food for the presentation of an application for safety assessment of a substance to be used in food contact materials prior to its authorisation.

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