Hampshire Euro MP Backs Food Packaging that "can think for itself"

1.22.53pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 31st Mar 2004

New rules to provide for the use of 'active and intelligent' food packaging have been agreed by MEPs in Strasbourg today (Wednesday).

The materials are designed to interact with food in order to maintain or improve its condition, for example by absorbing oxygen to slow the decay of meat. They could also allow flavourings or preservatives to be passed to the product.

But 'intelligent' packaging might also incorporate panels that change colour like litmus paper to warn consumers if food is no longer fit for consumption.

Euro-MPs supported plans for new authorisation procedures intended to ensure that use of the packaging is only allowed after it is given the green light by scientists.

Hampshire Liberal Democrat MEP Chris Huhne explained that the priority had to be to ensure that the packaging was completely safe.

He said: "The technology is developing very fast. Some of the packaging may prove very useful but we must have the procedures in place across Europe to ensure that harmful substances cannot be passed into the food we eat."

EU rules on the hygiene and safety of materials that touch food, like plastic wrapping, have been in place since 1989. They insist that substances should be safe and inert, to keep to a minimum the possibility of materials migrating from the packaging. The rules now need to be revised to include safe but 'active' packaging.

MEPs have insisted that food labelling must not mislead consumers, and that substances that might disguise the spoilage of food shall be prohibited.

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