--- title: "FDA Accelerates Approvals for Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging" id: "2485" type: "post" slug: "fda-accepts-recycled-ldpe-for-food" published_at: "2025-06-16T16:23:07+00:00" modified_at: "2025-06-16T12:51:09+00:00" url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2025/06/fda-accepts-recycled-ldpe-for-food-002485/" markdown_url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2025/06/fda-accepts-recycled-ldpe-for-food-002485.md" excerpt: "U.S. Food & Drug Administration accepts LLDPE resin mechanically recycled from stretch film for use at up to 100 percent level in food-contact packaging." taxonomy_category: - "Business" - "Extrusion" - "Film" - "Industry" - "Materials" - "Packaging" - "Process" - "Recycling" - "Resins" - "Sustainability" - "Trending" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Blue Polymers" - "Circulus Holdings" - "Compuestos Tknset" - "Dalian Hiscien" - "food-contact packaging" - "Genox LyondellBasell" - "Gneuss Kunststofftechnik" - "JB Ecotex" - "Mechanical Recycling" - "Merlin Plastics" - "Nova Chemicals" - "PureCycle Technologies" - "Shanghai Re-mall" - "U.S. FDA" - "U.S. Plastics Pact" --- [Home](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/) » [News](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/news/) » [Industry](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/industry/) » [Packaging](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/industry/packaging/) » FDA Accelerates Approvals for Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging # FDA Accelerates Approvals for Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging Revolution received FDA acceptance of resin made from recycled LLDPE stretch film for use in food-contact packaging. Courtesy of Revolution Co.### In a decisive shift for packaging sustainability, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has dramatically increased its acceptance of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics for direct food-contact applications. From early 2024 through mid-2025, a [record number of Letters of No Objection (LNOs)](https://www.hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?set=RecycledPlastics&sort=Recycle_Number&order=DESC&showAll=true&type=basic&search=) were issued for a variety of polymers, signaling the growing regulatory confidence in mechanical and advanced recycling processes. **You can also read:**[PFAS in Food Contact: Applications and Regulatory Actions.](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2025/02/pfas-in-food-contact-applications-and-regulatory-actions-007941/) This approvals surge enables packaging manufacturers and brand owners to integrate more recycled content into food-grade packaging while meeting strict federal safety standards. It’s a critical development when environmental pressures, consumer demand, and legislative mandates push for circularity and reducing virgin plastic use. ## Expanding the Scope: From PET to PP and PE The FDA’s LNO program has historically focused on PET, the most commonly recycled plastic. But that focus has expanded significantly. In 2024 alone, the FDA approved food-contact PCR materials, including HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, PP, and PET. These clearances span various forms—rigid containers, films, and flexible packaging—and cover a range of food types and conditions, from dry goods to high-fat, hot-filled applications. Some standout LNOs in 2024 include: - **Circulus Holdings** (Jan 2024): Cleared for 100% PCR LDPE in rigid packaging under Conditions B–H. - **NOVA Chemicals** (May 2024): Approved for LDPE and LLDPE from film waste, across all food types under B–H. - **Shanghai Re-mall**, **Blue Polymers**, and **JB Ecotex**: Approved for HDPE and PP in contact with produce, dairy, and fatty foods. - A wave of PET recyclers, including **Dalian Hiscien** and **Merlin Plastics**, also received new LNOs for thermoforms and other packaging formats. These approvals mark a shift from limited-use scenarios toward comprehensive food-contact applications. You can read the complete LNOs [here.](https://www.hfpappexternal.fda.gov/scripts/fdcc/index.cfm?set=RecycledPlastics&sort=Recycle_Number&order=DESC&showAll=true&type=basic&search=) ## FDA Approvals in 2025: The Momentum Builds The first half of 2025 has only accelerated this trend. In a span of just two months (April–May), FDA granted LNOs to: - **PureCycle Technologies** for polypropylene (PP), cleared under Conditions A–H, covering all food types and uses. - [Gneuss Kunststofftechnik](https://www.gneuss.com) for HDPE from milk bottles, cleared for moist and fatty foods (C–G). - **Compuestos Tknset (Mexico)** and **Genox LyondellBasell** for PP and HDPE, targeting fresh produce and dairy under E–G. - **NOVA Chemicals** again, for their Indiana-based Syndigo1 facility, projected to produce over 100 million pounds annually of FDA-compliant LLDPE PCR. Together, these represent not just technological advancement but growing regulatory trust in both mechanical and advanced recycling processes to deliver safe, high-quality food-grade materials. ## Technical and Commercial Significance The approvals cover broader Conditions of Use, which define temperature and time exposure for food contact. Many recent LNOs now extend through Condition A (boiling water fill and storage)—once reserved for virgin materials. This opens the door to applications such as hot-fill pouches, frozen food bags, and refrigerated dairy packaging. FDA’s acceptance validates processes that ensure contaminants are effectively removed and that the recycled material meets stringent purity standards. This credibility is crucial as converters and brands seek to shift toward circular packaging without compromising safety or performance. ## Regulatory Momentum Meets Market Demand These regulatory wins align with policy and market forces. The U.S. Plastics Pact, of which many of these companies are members, has a 2025 goal for 100% of plastic packaging to be reusable, recyclable, or compostable. State-level laws in California and Washington are also mandating minimum PCR content in packaging. Meanwhile, consumer expectations are rising. According to a NOVA Chemicals survey, 75% of U.S. consumers now expect food brands to increase recycled content in packaging. ## The Path Forward The FDA’s expanding list of approved PCR resins for food contact is reshaping what’s possible in sustainable packaging. As more converters incorporate food-grade recycled content and resin producers scale up ISCC PLUS–certified operations, the industry moves closer to circularity. This new regulatory landscape offers a clear message: the infrastructure, technology, and approval pathways for food-safe PCR are in place. The next step is broader adoption—and the momentum is clearly building. By **[Juliana Montoya](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/jmontoyaplasticsengineering-org/)** | June 16, 2025 [https://www.plasticsengineering.org](https://www.plasticsengineering.org) ##### [Juliana Montoya](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/jmontoyaplasticsengineering-org/) [Website](https://www.plasticsengineering.org) | [+ postsBio ⮌](#) ### Other posts you could read [April 30, 2026Upcycling Polyolefins into Jet Fuel Components](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/upcycling-polyolefins-into-jet-fuel-components-011138/) [April 29, 2026Renewable Functional Coatings for Advanced Applications](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/renewable-functional-coatings-for-advanced-applications-011134/) [April 15, 2026ANTEC 2026: Rheology Understanding Leads to Competitiveness](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/antec-2026-rheology-understanding-leads-to-competitiveness-010797/) [April 9, 2026RecyQMeter: Quantifying Recycled Plastic Quality](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/recyqmeter-quantifying-recycled-plastic-quality-010917/) [April 10, 2026In Vivo Plastic Waste Upcycling](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/in-vivo-plastic-waste-upcycling-010935/) [April 14, 2026How to Test for Chemical Resistance in Plastic Components](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/how-to-test-for-chemical-resistance-in-plastic-components-010963/) [April 27, 2026Nanocomposite Films from Car Bumper Waste](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/nanocomposite-films-from-car-bumper-waste-011041/) [April 21, 2026Flame-Resistant Polymers for Space Safety and Aerospace Use](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/04/flame-resistant-polymers-for-space-safety-and-aerospace-use-011162/) ### The 2 comments Join the discussion and tell us your opinion. 1. Mike Lincecumsays: [October 30, 2023 at 4:31 pm](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2025/06/fda-accepts-recycled-ldpe-for-food-002485/#comment-109) How does Revolution guarantee that the recycled raw materials are compliant for food contact since there are large amounts of plastic films disposed of that are not compliant for food contact? Many of the non-compliant plastic films are mixed with food contact films when they are disposed of. [Reply](#comment-109) 2. Harshith PVsays: [October 31, 2023 at 1:12 am](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2025/06/fda-accepts-recycled-ldpe-for-food-002485/#comment-110) None [Reply](#comment-110) ## Leave A Comment [Cancel reply](/2025/06/fda-accepts-recycled-ldpe-for-food-002485/#respond) - [https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=2485&text=FDA+Accelerates+Approvals+for+Recycled+Plastics+in+Food+Packaging&via=Plastics_Mag](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=2485&text=FDA+Accelerates+Approvals+for+Recycled+Plastics+in+Food+Packaging&via=Plastics_Mag) - [https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=2485&t=FDA+Accelerates+Approvals+for+Recycled+Plastics+in+Food+Packaging](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=2485&t=FDA+Accelerates+Approvals+for+Recycled+Plastics+in+Food+Packaging) - [https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=2485&title=FDA%20Accelerates%20Approvals%20for%20Recycled%20Plastics%20in%20Food%20Packaging&summary=U.S.+Food+%26+Drug+Administration+accepts+LLDPE+resin+mechanically+recycled+from+stretch+film+for+use+at+up+to+100+percent+level+in+food-contact+packaging.&source=Plastics+Engineering](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=2485&title=FDA%20Accelerates%20Approvals%20for%20Recycled%20Plastics%20in%20Food%20Packaging&summary=U.S.+Food+%26+Drug+Administration+accepts+LLDPE+resin+mechanically+recycled+from+stretch+film+for+use+at+up+to+100+percent+level+in+food-contact+packaging.&source=Plastics+Engineering) - [https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=2485&title=FDA+Accelerates+Approvals+for+Recycled+Plastics+in+Food+Packaging](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=2485&title=FDA+Accelerates+Approvals+for+Recycled+Plastics+in+Food+Packaging) - [/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3f004c4a5d555a5c4b026f535e4c4b565c4c1f7a515856515a5a4d5651581f121f797b7e1f7e5c5c5a535a4d5e4b5a4c1f7e4f4f4d50495e534c1f59504d1f6d5a5c465c535a5b1f6f535e4c4b565c4c1f56511f7950505b1f6f5e5c545e58565158195d505b4602574b4b4f4c051010484848114f535e4c4b565c4c5a515856515a5a4d56515811504d5810004f020d0b070a](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3f004c4a5d555a5c4b026f535e4c4b565c4c1f7a515856515a5a4d5651581f121f797b7e1f7e5c5c5a535a4d5e4b5a4c1f7e4f4f4d50495e534c1f59504d1f6d5a5c465c535a5b1f6f535e4c4b565c4c1f56511f7950505b1f6f5e5c545e58565158195d505b4602574b4b4f4c051010484848114f535e4c4b565c4c5a515856515a5a4d56515811504d5810004f020d0b070a) - [2](#comments)