Food Contact Compatibility of Bioplastic Materials Filled With Degradable Additives for Repeated-Use Food Applications

The packaging sector is the primary contributor to plastic waste due to the prevalence of disposable packaging. Although there is extensive literature on sustainable single-use packaging, studies on reusable biomaterials and their compliance with food contact regulations remain scarce. This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties of polylactic acid-based bioplastics reinforced with various degradable additives, glass fibers, and calcium carbonates, designed for repeated-use applications such as cutlery and rigid crates. All samples were tested for overall and specific migration in accordance with European Union regulations, and their material properties were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the tested materials provided overall migration values below the limits, although some instabilities did not provide them with full compliance. In terms of mechanical performance, cutlery samples exhibited a deterioration in mechanical properties after contact with food simulants, limiting their potential for repeated use. In contrast, rigid crates demonstrated high resistance to mechanical degradation, maintaining their properties over time.