New regulations for food grade plastic packaging go into force

AMMAN — Raw materials used in the manufacture of plastic packaging and containers in direct contact with food must be virgin and of food grade quality under new regulations.

The regulations, which went into force April 16, also stipulate that cleaning substances used during the manufacturing process of plastic packaging and containers must also be of food grade quality and approved by the Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA).

In addition, manufacturers of these containers must also place the phrase “Food Grade” or its symbol — a cup and a fork — on the external packaging of the product or on the product itself if possible.

The regulations designate the JFDA as the only institution that certifies products by manufacturers as food grade.

In December last year, the JFDA in cooperation with the Jordan Chamber of Industry, the Amman Chamber of Industry and the East Amman Investors Society, launched a campaign to promote the safe use of plastics, packaging and containers used for food storage.

At the launch ceremony, experts and businessmen said food grade products not only protect public health and the environment, but also raise local products’ competiveness in the international market. 

Packaging becomes part of the food once it comes in contact with it, which necessitates specifying the substances that can be used in the manufacturing process of these products, the experts said.

The plastics, packaging and container industry in Jordan has created 24,000 job opportunities, which represent 10 per cent of workers in the industrial sector, according to sector businessmen, who said that there are 1,329 plastics, packaging and container factories in the Kingdom.