News Details

In a move to enhance food safety and align with regional standards, the Argentine government has enacted a new joint resolution to regulate the use of certain plastics in food packaging. The Resolution 1/26, which was published on April 13, 2026, incorporates changes in line with recent updates from the MERCOSUR bloc, the regional trade and economic integration entity.

The resolution, published by the National Administration of Medicines, Foods, and Medical Technology (ANMAT) and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, introduces modifications to the "MERCOSUR Technical Regulation on the Positive List of Monomers, Other Starting Substances, and Polymers Authorized for the Manufacture of Packaging and Equipment in Contact with Food."

Key Additions to the List of Authorized Substances

The new regulation includes the addition of two significant substances to the list of approved materials for use in food packaging. First, it authorizes the use of Tetramethyl Bisphenol F Diglycidyl Ether (TMBPF-DGE), a chemical substance used in the manufacturing of plastic containers, particularly for beverage can linings. The allowed maximum residue limits (LME) are set at 0.2 mg/kg for the sum of TMBPF, TMBPF-DGE, and related compounds. This substance is exclusively permitted for use in dispersions for coating drink cans.

Second, Polyamide-imide 2 (PAI-2) has been approved for use in cookware coatings resistant to high temperatures. The substance, a polymer made from a reaction of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane with benzoic acid chloride, is restricted to use only as a binding agent in coatings that must not exceed a thickness of 60 microns. It is suitable for temperatures up to 230°C or for short periods at temperatures up to 250°C.

Updating National Legislation to Meet MERCOSUR Standards

The joint resolution not only brings Argentine regulations in line with MERCOSUR's technical rules but also supports the ongoing efforts of regional harmonization. The inclusion of these substances follows the decision made by the MERCOSUR group in Resolution GMC No. 28/24, which modified earlier standards to update the positive list of approved substances. Argentina’s adoption of these changes reflects its commitment to maintaining consistent and high standards across the regional market.

Implications for the Food Packaging Industry

The resolution is expected to have a notable impact on Argentina's food packaging industry, which has long used various polymers and chemicals in contact with food. The new rules provide clearer guidelines and enhanced safety, ensuring that materials used in food packaging do not pose a risk to public health. However, the approval of these substances also means that manufacturers will need to comply with the new restrictions, including specific limits on chemical residues in products.

Implementation Timeline and Enforcement

The new provisions will come into force on June 2, 2025, giving manufacturers time to adjust their processes to meet the updated requirements. National authorities have been tasked with overseeing the implementation and ensuring that these standards are adhered to by businesses involved in the production and trade of food packaging materials.

The resolution also mandates that the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the national authorities of each province and the City of Buenos Aires be informed about these changes.