ℹ️Food Contact Materials (FCMs)

The most common food contact materials (FCMs) used within foodware and packaging products are different types of plastic polymers, including bio-based and biodegradable plastics, paper and board, metal, glass, and multilayer materials. These FCMs are used in combination with each other and with other materials, such as printing inks, adhesives, and coatings.

Example of common food packaging items.

The UP Scorecard evaluates the impacts of primary food packaging, i.e. packaging in direct contact with food and beverage. Secondary packaging used to transport multiple units of a food product (such as large cardboard boxes or pallets) is not evaluated within the UP Scorecard.