The European Commission (EC), together with the EU Agri-Food Fraud Network, has published the results of a coordinated enforcement action on plastic food contact materials (FCM) containing bamboo. With this action, the EC aims to stop the illegal import, trade and advertising of plastic items sold as food contact materials, e.g. tableware with bamboo and other unauthorised plant additives.
Most plant additives, including bamboo, have not been assessed for safety for use in plastics. Some may therefore pose a health risk. The addition of bamboo to plastic FCM articles can lead to accelerated degradation of the plastic and leaching of formaldehyde and melamine (substances used in the manufacture of the plastic) into food, sometimes above safe levels. There is no acute health risk from the items coming into contact with food, but continued exposure to elevated levels of formaldehyde and melamine can potentially cause health problems. Moreover, this is false advertising and misleads consumers into believing they are buying eco-friendly items.
During a one-year action, 748 cases were reported by participating countries [1]. Of these 748 cases, 644 products were found on the EU market, and 104 goods were rejected at the EU border. Most illegal products came from China. Producers, importers and distributors were required by member state authorities to immediately withdraw products from the market. Consumers who have already bought products falsely marketed as being made of 'bamboo' - but are in fact plastic - are invited to return to the shop or contact the platform if they bought them online. If the retailer or platform continues to sell these items, consumers may consider informing their national food safety authority. For this coordinated action, the European Commission services joined forces with the competent food safety authorities, customs services in Member States and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF).
[1] The countries involved in the action were: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.
