Avantium N.V., a leading Dutch company in renewable and circular polymer materials, has announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Food Contact Notification (FCN) approval for the use of Avantium’s polyethylene furanoate (PEF) in food contact articles, effective from October 5, 2024.
Under this FDA approval, Avantium’s food contact grade PEF is now permitted as packaging material for all food types – except packaging for high-alcohol foods containing more than 15 percent alcohol, packaging for infant formula or human milk – in the United States, whether filled and stored at room temperature, refrigerated, and/or frozen.
This milestone complements already existing European food contact approvals.
In 2022, Avantium launched a PEF food contact grade, which is approved for use with acidic foods, alcoholic drinks with less than 20 percent alcohol, and both clear and cloudy beverages in the EU and UK.
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, said Ana Sousa Dias, Manager of Product Stewardship and Regulatory Affairs.
