SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF POLYLACTIDE (PLA) FOR USE AS A FOOD-CONTACT POLYMER

This report constitutes a safety assessment of polylactide (PLA), a po lymer of lactic acid intended for use in fabricating Various food-cont act articles. Migration studies were conducted on samples of the polym er following guidelines issued by the Food and Drug Administration. Po tential migrants from PLA include lactic acid, lactide (the monomer), and lactoyllactic acid (the linear dimer of lactic acid). The studies were designed to model reasonable 'worst' case extraction situations w hen the polymer is used (a) in houseware articles for short and interm ediate time periods at various temperatures and (b) in food-packaging materials. The limited migration observed during the trials represents no significant risk since migrating species are expected to convert t o lactic acid, a safe food substance. It is concluded that PLA is safe and 'Generally Recognized As Safe' for its intended uses as a polymer for fabricating articles that will hold and/or package food.