Afssa Sécurité sanitaire des aliments Veille Expertise Recherche Santé publique

Neoformed products resulting from the manufacture of materials

During the manufacture of materials, certain processes, such as ionising radiation, may cause the formation of neoformed compounds which were not originally present in the material. These substances may leach when in contact with food. These elements must be monitored in order to establish their impact on food safety.

In 2005, Afssa took part in the assessment of risks arising from the formation of semicarbazide in foodstuffs. This dossier was examined under the EU auspices of the European Food Safety Authority and based on data from the industry Europe-wide, and Afssa focused its expertise on the estimations of national exposure from dosages carried out by the laboratories in Bordeaux (DGCCRF) and Fougères (laboratory for study and research into veterinary medicinal products and disinfectants) and within industry.

In close liaison with the Committee of Experts specialising in "Food Contact Materials" and via several interviews with industrial players (National Association of Food Industries, Joint Industry Group), Afssa has followed the progress of work undertaken for the European community from three major angles:

- examination of additional toxicological data collected,
- implementation of azodicarbonamide substitution work,
- the origins of semicarbazide in food.

In 2006, Afssa issued guidelines on compiling assessment dossiers for health risks arising from the use of food contact plastics treated by ionising radiation. Point 5.3 of these guidelines covers the issue of neoformed substances in materials in detail.

April 2009