09. Oct 2024
FDA Approves Avantium’s PEF
Avantium (Amsterdam, the Netherlands), a leading company in renewable and circular polymer materials, announces that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Food Contact Notification (FCN) approval for the use of Avantium’s PEF (polyethylene furanoate) in food contact articles, effective from 5 October 2024.
Under this approval, Avantium’s food contact grade PEF is now permitted as packaging material for all food types in the United States, whether filled and stored at room temperature, refrigerated, and/or frozen (with the exception of packaging for high-alcohol foods containing more than 15 % alcohol, packaging for infant formula or human milk).
This milestone complements already existing European food contact approvals. Avantium has developed various PEF grades at its pilot plant that meet EU food contact regulations. In 2022, Avantium launched a PEF food contact grade, which is approved for use with acidic foods, alcoholic drinks with less than 20 % alcohol, and both clear and cloudy beverages in the EU and UK.
Ana Sousa Dias, Manager Product Stewardship and Regulatory Affairs at Avantium, comments: “The FDA’s acceptance of Avantium’s PEF for food contact applications marks a significant achievement for Avantium. It highlights our dedication to providing sustainable and safe solutions for the packaging industry and consumers. We are excited to see the positive impact PEF will have on the market.” AT
avantium.com