Scientific Opinion on the safety evaluation of the active substances, terephthalic acid, dimethyl ester, polymer with 1,4-butanediol, cyclized, polymers with glycidyl methacrylate, hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, methyl methacrylate and styrene, and cobalt stearate for use in food contact materials EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF)

This scientific opinion of EFSA deals with the safety evaluation of the oxygen absorber (terephthalic acid, dimethyl ester, polymer with 1,4-butanediol, cyclized, polymers with glycidyl methacrylate, hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, methyl methacrylate and styrene) copolymer (CAS No 122340234-3, FCM substance No 1005) and the oxidation catalyst cobalt stearate (CAS No 1002-88-6 and FCM Substance No 1004), intended to be used up to a maximum percentage of 1% in polyethylene terephtalate (PET) for absorbing oxygen from the food environment. All starting substances of the oxygen absorber formulation and cobalt stearate have been evaluated and approved for use as additives in plastic food contact materials. Methyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate and cobalt stearate were not detected at the detection limits of 0.6, 0.006 and 0.0005 mg/kg food simulant, respectively. Butadiene was not detected in the PET bottles at a detection limit of 0.33 mg/kg plastic. For PET formulated with the maximum 1% of the active copoymer, the migration of the low molecular weight fraction (LMWF) of the copolymer was estimated to be less than 35 ae g/kg food. The CEF Panel concluded that the use of the copolymer up to 1% w/w in PET for contact with all types of foods at temperature up to 95 degrees C and the use of cobalt stearate as oxidation catalyst in PET, is not of safety concern for the consumer. (C) European Food Safety Authority, 2012