• EU packaging rules will force food companies to redesign materials and logistics, with major technical requirements taking effect January 1, 2030.
• Contact-sensitive plastic packaging must contain recycled content of 30% for PET and 10% for other plastics by 2030.
• Those minimums rise to 50% for PET and 25% for other contact-sensitive plastics on January 1, 2040.
• Most recycled plastic currently available lacks food-contact approval, creating a supply bottleneck for food companies seeking to meet the targets.
• Packaging must meet recyclability grade C from 2030, tightening to grade B from 2038, challenging multilayer formats that preserve shelf life.

Disclaimer: This news brief was created by Public Technologies (PUBT) using generative artificial intelligence. While PUBT strives to provide accurate and timely information, this AI-generated content is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as financial, investment, or legal advice. Eatable Adventures SL published the original content used to generate this news brief on October 21, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained therein.