At this point in 2019 it is impossible not to give some well-deserved attention to the departure of Dr. Scott Gottlieb from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Anyone associated with pharmaceuticals or packaging was surprised at the announcement.
Plastics, paper and other packaging materials bring many benefits to the food supply chain, including sterility and prolonged shelf life. However, there is the potential for transfer of chemicals from the packaging to the food, which is why FDA regulations surrounding food contact materials exist. Understanding this legislation is key to creating effective, safe and legally compliant packaging.