PVC packaging safety assessed

PVC packaging safety assessed - Vinyl Council Australia

Media Statement
12 January, 2010

Responding to consumer group CHOICE’s concerns published today in the media that PVC cling film may be harmful, the Vinyl Council of Australia supports previous comments made by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) that these products are unlikely to pose a health risk.

When CHOICE raised this same issue in 2008, FSANZ conducted a preliminary risk assessment of the potential for adverse health effects in consumers of these products and concluded that consumption of these foods was not a danger.

For a copy of FSANZ’s Fact sheet click here

PVC film has long been used to wrap meat and other food items because of its specific technical performance characteristics that help prolong shelf life of food. It is a trusted material in commercial food retailing. Information about these packaging products and the plasticisers used in them under the packaging industry’s voluntary code of practice, is published on our site under Packaging and Phthalates.

The Australian chemical regulatory authority, the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS), is currently completing risk assessments for nine common phthalates. The VCA has consulted with NICNAS and other stakeholders to provide accurate and responsible information to assist this process. Refer to www.nicnas.gov.au for more information.

The Vinyl Council of Australia is working to advance the sustainability of the vinyl, or PVC, industry in Australia. Its members are drawn across the supply chain of the vinyl industry and are signatories to the PVC industry Product Stewardship Program. The Council’s packaging members are also signatories to the National Packaging Covenant.

Note: Bisphenol A (BPA) is not used in vinyl packaging in Australia.

For further information: contact Neva Law, Vinyl Council of Australia, directly on 03 9368 4857 and 0405 772 700.