Plastics Industry Trade Assn. publishes guidelines for plastic food packaging companies throughout supply chain looking to develop a good manufacturing practices program that adheres to regulatory requirements

Lorena Madrigal

WASHINGTON , January 31, 2012 (press release) – SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association announced today that its Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Packaging Materials Committee (FDCPMC) has completed a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Guideline for the Plastic Food Packaging Supply Chain. The Guideline is intended to assist employees responsible for the assurance of their companies’ adherence to appropriate good manufacturing practices.

The concept of good manufacturing practice underpins the manufacture of all products regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Food and food packaging must be manufactured under a GMP program that prevents contamination and ensures products will be safe. The regulatory requirements for a well-designed GMP program vary by the type of product being produced and by the position of the product in the manufacturing process and supply chain.

Developed by volunteers from SPI member companies that represent a variety of links along the food packaging supply chain, the newly-published Guideline does not establish a GMP program specific to any particular facility. “This document presents topics and areas that should be considered in development of a GMP program for a variety of plastic food packaging companies and facilities -- from resin manufacturer through packaging converter,” explains Kyra Mumbauer, SPI’s Director, Industry Affairs - Food, Drug and Cosmetic Packaging and Consumer Issues. “Because the Guideline was developed by industry representatives who are themselves responsible for GMP programs, I am confident that the document will be a useful tool for anyone developing a GMP program for their own facility.”

An 11-page document (including glossary and list of selected sources for further information), The Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Guideline for the Plastic Food Packaging Supply Chain is available free of charge via download from the FDCPMC website here: http://www.plasticsindustry.org/files/about/fdcpmc/fdcpmc_manuf_practice%20guidelines20120126.pdf

Founded in 1957, the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Packaging Materials Committee advocates the use of sound science and good public policy in the safe use and regulation of packaging and non-packaging components for food, drugs, personal care products, cosmetics, toys and medical devices.

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