RPET system gets FDA approval for frozen RTE meals

Post-consumer or –industrial polyethyelene terephthalate (PET) recycled with the help of a Vacurema system now is Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved for the packaging of frozen ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. Previously, recycled PET (RPET) made with these systems had been approved for the FDA application categories "C" to "G”, and category "H" has now also been added.

The category "H" approval allows the production of PET packaging for frozen or refrigerated ready-prepared foods intended to be reheated in the container. Starting immediately, up to 100% RPET that has been produced on Vacurema systems can now be used for this purpose. Vacurema is the brand name of a PET recycling system developed and manufactured by Erema (Alsfelden, Austria).

This extension to the scope of approval has been carried out by two independent institutes (Fraunhofer and Keller & Heckman) in various forms, including challenge tests, and also applies to systems that are already in use. The complete list of FDA-approved processes for use of post-consumer recycled PET in food contact applications is found here.

PET processed with a Vacurema system is now FDA approved for many different types of food packaging. This includes packaging which is hot filled or pasteurized above (or below) 150ºF (65°C); refrigerated or frozen stored food products with no thermal treatment in the container; packaging for foods which are packed in an aqueous or oil-in-water emulsion of high- or low-fat; and now for packaging of foods which will be frozen or refrigerated and are to be reheated in their packaging. —[email protected]