SG 89/19
The US state of Maine has implemented measures to regulate toxic chemicals in food packaging. The prohibition of phthalates will become effective on January 1, 2022.
On June 13, 2019, the governor of the US state of Maine signed the L.D. 1433 bill (HP 1043, Chapter 277, 128th Legislature, 2019) into law to amend Title 32 of the Maine Revised Statutes (32 MRS ‘Professions and Occupations’).
This amendment, ‘An Act to Protect the Environment and Public Health by Further Reducing Toxic Chemicals in Packaging’ (the Act), contains two important changes:
| MAINE, LD 1433 (HP 1043, CHAPTER 277, 128TH LEGISLATURE, 2019) ‘AN ACT TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH BY FURTHER REDUCING TOXIC CHEMICALS IN PACKAGING’ IN RELATION TO 32 MRS CHAPTER 26-A ‘REDUCTION OF TOXICS IN PACKAGING’ | |||
| Substance | Scope | Requirement | Effective Date |
| Phthalates | Food packages, including disposable plastic food service gloves | Prohibited unless presence is incidental* | January 1, 2022 |
| PFAS chemicals | Prohibited unless presence is incidental* | January 1, 2022** | |
| *Exempt if total annual national sales of food and beverage products is < $ 1,000,000,000 for manufacturers of a food or beverage product that is contained in a food package or to which a food package is applied | |||
| **Prohibition by rule, and January 1, 2022 only becomes operative if safer alternatives are available, otherwise two years from date on which DEP determines a safer alternative is available, whichever is later | |||
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SGS technical experts have extensive knowledge and testing experience in materials and articles in contact with food. They work to ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. From overall migration testing to expert advice on emerging regulations and compliance issues as well as documentation reviews, SGS is the partner to trust. Please do not hesitate to contact us for further information or visit our website.
Next step
Stakeholders are advised to comply with the latest requirements in food packaging for the US state of Maine.
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