Any material intended to come into direct contact with consumable food or beverages is classified as a Food Contact Material (FCM). Because liquids can act as solvents over time, regulators enforce strict safety frameworks to ensure that chemicals from the packaging do not transfer—or "migrate"—into the beverage at levels that could endanger human health or alter the product's taste and odor.
In Europe, plastic beverage packaging is governed primarily by Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. This comprehensive legislation dictates exactly how PET and other plastics must be manufactured, tested, and certified before hitting the market. Key compliance pillars include:
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is globally recognized as one of the safest and most stable food contact materials available. It is biologically inert, meaning it does not react with acidic beverages like sodas or juices, nor does it degrade when exposed to standard beverage production environments. Furthermore, PET manufacturing completely avoids controversial chemicals, which you can read more about in our guide to BPA Regulations and Food Contact Safety in Plastic Packaging.
The regulatory landscape becomes significantly more complex when brands transition away from virgin plastics. Using post-consumer recycled plastic for food contact requires the material to undergo rigorous, certified super-cleaning processes regulated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). To ensure your sustainable packaging remains fully compliant, review the Legal Requirements for Using Recycled PET in Food Packaging.
While passing EU migration tests is a critical baseline, beverage brands exporting internationally must also satisfy different regulatory bodies. If you are shipping products across the Atlantic, discover the differing requirements in our overview of FDA Compliance for PET Beverage Packaging.
