The Food Standards Agency (FSA) have launched a consultation to help determine the long-term safety of food contact materials which contain bamboo and similar plant-based materials such rice husks, wheat straw and hemp.

UK businesses are being told that they should not be selling such products until they have been fully assessed and authorised, and any products currently on the market should be withdrawn.

The FSA’s advice does not apply to items made solely from bamboo or plant-based materials, only those products which use a combination of plastic and plant filler.

An initial assessment of the risks presented by food contact plastics with added bamboo has been carried out by the Committee on Toxicity (COT), the independent group of scientists which provides advice to the FSA and other government departments and agencies on matters concerning the toxicity of chemicals.

The COT determined that, in some cases, the presence of bamboo and similar plant-based matter in plastic materials could result in the migration of the plastic components, such as formaldehyde or melamine, into food or drink above their legal limit. Whilst it is very unlikely that the initial use of these products would result in an immediate health risk, the long-term impacts from regular use of such items remains uncertain due to a lack of evidence.

Retailers are being asked to take care to check that any bamboo or similar-plant products remaining on sale do not contain any plastic components and to ensure that they meet the applicable national regulations.

Consumers are also being advised, as a precautionary measure, that they should not use such products until a full study into the potential risks can be completed. This is expected to be concluded after the call for evidence closes and is dependent on businesses providing the FSA with the necessary evidence on the safety of these products.

It may be difficult to tell whether a product is made from a bamboo-composite material once it has been removed from its packaging, but products will have a smooth surface and have the feel of plastic. Some products may have a recognisable logo which will help with checking whether it is an implicated article.

Commonly identified products made using plastic containing bamboo and similar materials include reusable drinking cups; tableware and cutlery; lunchboxes; and chopping boards. Additional products include plates, bowls, and cups including some specifically marketed as crockery sets to infants and children.

Extra caution should be taken to avoid using the utensils or containers to eat and drink hot and acidic foods and drinks, or to place them in the microwave, as this may make it more likely that elevated amounts of harmful chemicals will be released.

If in doubt, the FSA advises not to use the product until the full risk assessment has been completed.

The consultation closes on 12 December 2023 and can be found here.