A coalition of non-profit industry and non-governmental organizations announced the formation of the Alliance for Sustainable Packaging for Foods (ASPF), which brings together a diverse group of global stakeholders to engage with regulators and governments around the world to encourage the adoption of a holistic and harmonized approach to food packaging regulation.
The alliance prioritizes engagement with the ongoing interinstitutional negotiations in the EU on the revision of applicable packaging and packaging waste rules, and the P2 and other packaging-related regulatory developments in Canada.
“When discussing the future of packaging, food safety and quality, and reducing food loss and waste are non-negotiable. Members of ASPF are clear: we are committed to significantly reducing packaging waste, just not at the expense of food safety. We will work hard with the regulators and policy makers around the world to do so,” says IFPA chief science officer and chair of ASPF, Max Teplitski. “We must take into account the footprint of the entire lifecycle of packaging use while maintaining food safety and addressing phytosanitary concerns. The purpose of ASPF is to find opportunities for partnership across global stakeholders to create a holistic and harmonized approach to packaging regulation, which reflects and accounts for the key outcomes central to a sustainable food supply.”
Key takeaways:
- The ASPF founding members include Aneberries; Canadian Produce Marketing Association; FMI – The Food Industry Association; Fruit South Africa; Frutas de Chile; International Fresh Produce Association; National Milk Producers Federation; National Council of Farmers Coops; National Wooden Pallet and Container Association; North American Meat Institute; Organic Trade Association, Reusable Packaging Association; STOP Foodborne Illness; U.S. Dairy Export Council; and Western Growers Association.
- The organization will also include working groups to drive priorities and action plans that will focus on the government relations strategies and the technical approach to advocate for packaging regulations that sound in regards to compliance and technically pragmatic for industry implementation. The organization also encourages ongoing consideration and consultation throughout value chains, for extensive buy-in and sustainable success.
“Sustainable packaging solutions for food, such as reusable packaging, can also lead to superior product protection and temperature management performance, ensuring food quality and safety and reducing waste,” says Todd Hoff, EVP at Reusable Packaging Association, and vice chair of the alliance. “The Reusable Packaging Association values our participation in this wide-ranging industry alliance to support the transformation to more circular reuse systems while upholding the highest food standards. We look forward to working with other industry leaders to demonstrate that packaging can be sustainable, cost-effective, and high performing without compromising.”
