FAO Raises Alarm on Chemical Safety of Recycled Plastic Food Packaging: Insights for Cameroon

Cameroon faces significant food packaging safety challenges due to the widespread use of plastic packaging materials throughout informal and formal food markets. Fresh produce, spices, edible oils, beverages, and ready-to-eat foods are commonly sold in plastic bags and containers of varying quality, many of which are not certified for food contact. Of particular concern is the widespread practice of repeatedly reusing single-use plastic water bottles to package and sell locally prepared beverages such as foléré (hibiscus drink), baobab juice, kossam, ginger juice, tamarind juice, and other traditional drinks. While this practice provides an affordable and convenient means of packaging, repeated reuse, exposure to sunlight and heat during transportation and roadside display, and inadequate cleaning may increase the migration of harmful chemicals into foods and beverages, posing potential health risks to consumers. Limited national capacity to monitor chemical contaminants and assess the safety of recycled and reused food-contact plastics further compounds these challenges.

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A landmark report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in May 2026 has called for a rigorous, globally harmonized risk assessments for recycled plastic materials used in food packaging and other food contact materials (FCMs). Titled Food Safety Implications of Recycled Plastics and Alternative Food Contact Materials, the report highlights an urgent gap between the rapid growth of the sustainable packaging industry and the safety frameworks needed to protect consumers.

The global food packaging industry is expanding and increasingly adopting recycled and bio-based materials. In Cameroon, there is a growing interest in sustainable alternatives, including biodegradable packaging derived from cassava, plantain, or sugarcane residues. The FAO warns that sustainability goals must be balanced with food safety. Key concerns include the migration of chemical contaminants from recycled plastics into food, the presence of impurities generated during recycling, and the growing issue of micro- and nanoplastics. Robust safety assessments and regulatory oversight will be essential to ensure that these innovations do not introduce new food safety hazards. The report highlights potential risks associated with bio-based packaging materials, including pesticide residues, natural toxins, and allergens. To address these challenges, the FAO calls for stronger recycling controls, improved waste sorting systems, better methods for detecting contaminants, and harmonized international food safety standards.

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Moving forward...

The FAO report offers Cameroon an opportunity to strengthen food packaging safety, improve regulatory oversight, and enhance competitiveness in international markets. By building the capacity of national institutions to certify packaging materials and align standards with global best practices, Cameroon could better protect consumers while supporting exports. The report also highlights opportunities for local research institutions to contribute evidence on packaging safety and for the country's growing recycling sector to develop food-grade plastic recycling systems. Together, these efforts could promote safer food packaging, create green jobs, and advance sustainable economic development.