Scientific Opinion on the safety evaluation of the active substances Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, bentonite, aluminium potassium sulphate for use in active food contact materials

This scientific opinion of EFSA deals with the risk assessment of the active substances sodium carboxymethylcellulose, bentonite and aluminium potassium sulphate dodecahydrate, CAS No 9004-32-4, 1302-78-9 and 7784-24-9 respectively. The active substances form a mixture that is incorporated in articles such as pads, trays, lids. It is intended to be used as a moisture and liquid absorber in packaging for foods with short shelf-life, which are stored and retailed at refrigeration temperature or at room temperature, such as fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and meat products. The mixture is not in direct contact with food being separated from it by a permeable non-woven fabric.
To measure the capacity of the absorbent, absorbency tests were performed. Moreover, it was demonstrated that in real conditions of use overload does not occur. If the absorbent capacity is not exceeded, the migration of the active substances is expected to be negligible not giving rise to any safety concern.
The CEF Panel concluded that the substances sodium carboxymethylcellulose and bentonite do not raise a safety concern for the consumer when used as moisture and liquid absorbers. Aluminium potassium sulphate dodecahydrate can be used in formulations with sodium carboxymethylcellulose (50-90% w/w) and bentonite (10-30% w/w) at levels up to 4% w/w. In all cases the absorbers must be placed in components in the food packaging preventing them from being in direct contact with food and the fluid absorption capacity of these absorbers must not be exceeded.