The Criteria & Procedures for Managing Recycled Packaging Materials Under FSSC 22000 V6

Recycled packaging materials help the food industry reduce environmental impact, save costs and meet customer demand. They also pose food safety and quality challenges, because they may contain contaminants, allergens or foreign materials that could affect the final product.

FSSC 22000 Version 6 applies to organisations in the food chain that process or manufacture animal products, perishable plant products, products with a long shelf life, food ingredients, food packaging and food additives. It consists of ISO 22000, the relevant prerequisite programme specification, and the FSSC additional requirements.

One additional requirement covers management of services and purchased materials. For food chain category I (production of food packaging), the organisation shall establish criteria for the use of recycled packaging as a raw material input into finished packaging, and shall ensure that relevant legal and customer requirements are met.

Procedures to put in place

The organisation should document and implement procedures for the identification, evaluation and control of recycled packaging materials. Those procedures should include:

• Selecting and approving suppliers of recycled packaging materials.
• Verifying and validating the safety and quality of recycled packaging materials.
• Monitoring and measuring performance and effectiveness.
• Taking corrective and preventive action when results show a problem.
• Reviewing and updating the criteria and procedures periodically.

Following these criteria keeps recycled packaging from compromising the safety, quality or integrity of the finished product, and demonstrates compliance with a globally recognised food safety certification scheme.