South Korea is considering changing food contact material rules to allow the use of PBAT

South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is conducting a public consultation on a proposal that would allow the use of polybutylene adipate (PBAT)
in food utensils, containers and packaging.

If approved, PBAT will be added to the "Permitted Materials List" for
these products.

The proposed revisions to the Standards and Specifications for Food Ware, Containers and Packaging are to meet industry demand
for biodegradable materials for containers and packaging.

PBAT is defined in the draft as a synthetic resin
with a copolymer content of 50% or more terephthalic acid, adipic acid and 1,4-butanediol in the base polymer.

PBAT is derived from common petrochemicals: purified terephthalic acid (PTA), butylene glycol, and adipic acid, which is biodegradable and commonly used in plastic bags to increase flexibility and compostability
.

The following migration or dissolution specifications are included in the draft revision:

●Lead – Less than or equal to 1 mg/L

●Potassium permanganate consumption – less than or equal to 10 mg/L;

●Total elution – less than or equal to 30 mg/L;

●Terephthalic acid – 7.
5 mg/L or less;

●Isophthalic acid – 5 mg/L or less;

● 1,4-Butanediol – less than or equal to 5mg/L
.

Recycled materials

The draft amendments also include updated documents that companies must submit in order to obtain approval
to use recycled materials.

The updated requirements include:

●How to use food utensils, containers or packaging, such as the purpose, the recommended temperature at the time of use, etc.
;

●The type of food for which utensils, containers or packaging are suitable;

●Warnings for
the use of utensils, containers or packaging.

●The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) of South Korea has published the draft amendments on October 14 and notified the WTO
on October 17.
The public consultation will run until 16 December
.