Paper and paperboard industry protocol for sampling and analysis of recycled materials intended for food packaging applications.

This paper describes the Recycled Paperboard Technical Association (RPTA) Sampling and Analysis Protocol that RPTA member mills can use to determine that paperboard produced from recycled fibre may safely be used in food contact applications. Application of this Protocol helps to ensure compliance with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations outlined in 21 CFR 176.260. Health risk-based allowable concentrations for potential unintended chemical constituents in the paperboard have been calculated. The protocol provides a methodology for mills to determine the concentrations of these chemicals in their paperboard for comparison with the allowable concentrations. This methodology includes guidance on what to test for, frequency of testing, sample collection methods, analytical methods and interpretation of testing results. This paper explains how and why the RPTA Protocol was developed, how it is used today, what changes have been made through the first half of 2004 and what changes may be expected in the future.