Is Hemp Plastic Food Safe? Facts for Everyday Use

Every time a new packaging material enters the market, the first question isn’t about how green it is or how much carbon it saves. 

It is simpler than that: Is it safe to be in contact with my food?

We’ve learned the hard way what happens when we don’t ask early enough. 

Case in scenario: BPA in baby bottles, microplastics in our bloodstream, and chemicals we can’t even pronounce leaching into our lunches. 

If we are looking to solve the plastic crisis, our solutions must not only be green but also safe enough for every family’s dinner table.

Hemp plastic is making headlines as an eco-friendly material for packaging and single-use items. 

But is hemp plastic food-safe? To know that, it’s fair to ask the following questions:

• Will it keep our food truly safe?
• Is it as robust as the plastics we’ve relied on for decades?
• What do the science and regulations say?

This post is my attempt to answer all of these, backed by clear facts, real examples, and practical approaches towards adopting hemp plastic.  

Let’s begin. 

How is hemp plastic used in food packaging? 

Let’s first get a basic understanding of what hemp plastic is and how it is used in food packaging.

What Is Hemp Plastic?

Hemp plastic is a bioplastic that incorporates hemp-derived cellulose fiber or oil into its composition. 

Think of it this way: traditional plastic is made entirely from petroleum. Hemp-based materials replace some or all of that petroleum with plant matter from the industrial hemp plant (Cannabis sativa L.)

It is manufactured by combining

• cellulose fibers from the hemp plant 
• with a polymer. This could be a plant-based one like PLA or a conventional one like polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE).

So, what does this mean for food packaging?

It means we can now make:

• trays for fruits and vegetables,
  
  
• transparent films to wrap bakery items,
  
  
• cutlery and straws for food service,
  
  
• even containers for edibles and ready-to-eat snacks.

Real-World Use Of Hemp Plastic Products In Food Packaging

Hemp plastic has already infiltrated the food packaging market:

• Some brands in the cannabis industry are already using 100% plant-based, FDA-compliant hemp plastic containers for edibles and oils.
• Compostable food trays made with hemp blends are being tested in grocery stores, aiming to replace polystyrene foam.

According to market forecasts, the hemp bioplastics sector is growing at over 13% per year, and food packaging already accounts for nearly a third of this market.

Now let’s get back to what this article targets: Does using hemp plastic really guarantee food safety, or are there hidden risks?

Is hemp plastic food-safe? What the science says

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Food safety is not about buzzwords—it’s about hard facts.

For a material to be called food-safe, it must meet two big requirements:

• It shouldn’t leach harmful chemicals into food.
• It should be clean, stable, and inert in everyday conditions.

Scientific Studies And Reports On Hemp Plastic’s Food Safety

So, what do independent labs and studies say about hemp plastic?

• When hemp fibers are clean and combined with established, food-grade polymers (like PLA or PP), scientific studies show “very low migration” of substances into food (UK FSA Research Report, 2019).
• Many leading hemp plastic products in the US have passed migration tests required by the FDA.
• Cellulose, the main ingredient in hemp fiber, is already “GRAS” (Generally Recognized As Safe) and widely used in the food industry.

However, no material is perfect:

• If hemp is not grown or processed carefully, it can pick up pesticides, heavy metals, or even industrial chemicals from the soil.
• Plant-based packaging, in general, can sometimes contain tiny traces of “NIAS” (non-intentionally added substances) that come from natural breakdown or unknown reactions.

But here’s the important part:

• Responsible manufacturers run migration tests, use food-grade inputs, and back up “food-safe” claims with documentation.
• At Hemp Foundation, we always require a compliance certificate before any packaging goes near food.

So is hemp plastic food-safe to eat your food from? Yes, but only if every step of the supply chain is tightly controlled and independently verified.

Let’s look at how US regulations address these issues.

What are the FDA and US regulations for hemp plastic in food contact? 

In the US, food packaging is regulated by the FDA under strict rules. 

Here’s what matters most:

• The FDA doesn’t actually approve hemp plastic as a category.
• Instead, every ingredient (the polymer, the fiber, any additives) must already be listed as safe for food contact. Otherwise, the manufacturer must submit detailed safety data via a Food Contact Notification (FCN).

How Do The Regulations Look In Practice?

• If a hemp plastic is made by blending hemp fiber with an approved plastic, like PP, and the hemp is clean, it can be legally used. This is as long as it meets the FDA’s specifications for food safety.
• For paper-like packaging, the FDA allows plant fibers, including hemp. Again, all chemicals used in processing should be safe and documented.
• Some US brands already sell “FDA food-safe” hemp plastic containers, citing compliance with relevant federal codes (like 21 CFR 177.1520 for polypropylene).

As a buyer or investor, you can follow this tip:

• Always ask for proof of FDA compliance. If the hemp packaging company can’t show migration test results and a compliance letter, be cautious.

In short, the FDA’s rules are clear and robust.

It’s up to manufacturers to prove their packaging is safe, not the other way around.

But how does hemp plastic really compare, side by side, with other mainstream food-safe plastics?

That’s what we will look into next.

How does hemp plastic compare to other food-safe plastics?

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Here’s a quick comparison table for hemp and other food-safe plastics:

From the above, the following is clear:

Hemp plastics offer great potential:

• No toxins like BPA or phthalates.
• Renewable and (if fully bio-based) compostable.
• Require less fertilizer and water than PLA/corn-based options.

The flipside:

• Often have a shorter shelf life.
• Not always recyclable if mixed with conventional plastics.
• Higher cost unless produced at scale.

Hemp bioplastic food packaging definitely checks the sustainability box. 

But in order to become the perfect substitute in any scenario, the entire system, from farming to disposal, needs to be designed for green outcomes.

This brings us to our next interesting point: What does this mean for people making big decisions? 

Next, we will talk about policy makers, investors, and educators.

What Should Policy Makers, Investors, and Educators Know?

If you are shaping policy, deciding on investments, or designing the next curriculum, what matters most about hemp plastic?

It’s the supporting evidence and the existing gaps as concerns. 

Current Evidence And Gaps

Here’s what the evidence tells us:

• Food safety has the green signal if the manufacturer follows FDA guidance and tests for migration, purity, and contaminants.
• The market for hemp-based packaging in the US is set to cross $225 million in the coming years. It is growing faster as states and brands push for compostable solutions.
• Europe and the US are both updating their rules for bio-based packaging. This is making space to watch out for regulatory harmonization.

But there are still gaps:

• Long-term studies are few, especially about how hemp plastics perform after years on the shelf or in different climates.
• Supply chains are still scaling. Reliable, food-grade hemp fiber production is not universal.
• Composting infrastructure is growing, but not everywhere. Packaging that is “compostable” needs to be properly sorted and processed.

For Policy Makers

• Encourage third-party certification and labeling standards for bio-based packaging.
• Fund research on long-term food safety and end-of-life options for bioplastics.
• Support composting infrastructure and create incentives for local sourcing of hemp fiber.

For Investors

• Favor companies with rigorous compliance, clear end-of-life plans, and transparent supply chains.
• Watch for greenwashing: if a product claims “100% compostable” or “all-natural,” look for third-party proof (ASTM D6400, EN 13432, ISO 16620).
• Understand that cost and supply challenges will improve as the sector grows and standards evolve.

The bottom line? Hemp plastic does offer a legitimate solution to conventional petroleum-based plastics. However, it isn’t a miracle solution. 

It offers genuine environmental benefits when implemented thoughtfully. 

With responsible policy, investment, and education, it can be a key part of the solution.

Let’s wrap up with a few takeaways. 

Key takeaways: Is hemp plastic ready for everyday food use?

So, are we looking at a new wave of food packaging in the form of hemp plastic containers? 

Yes, if hemp plastic is properly manufactured and tested. 

This means that there’s no shortcut: every step, from hemp farming to polymer blending to final migration testing, must meet regulatory benchmarks.

It’s an exciting option for those serious about sustainable packaging, but success depends on:

• Honest compliance
• Sound policy support
• Better infrastructure for composting and recycling

For now, businesses and governments should demand full documentation from suppliers, keep a close eye on evolving regulations, and support research to fill knowledge gaps.

With these steps, hemp plastic isn’t just ready for the future—it could help build it.

FAQs

1. Is hemp plastic food-safe?

Yes, hemp plastic is food-safe if it’s made from clean hemp fiber and approved polymers and passes FDA food contact tests.

2. Does hemp plastic leach harmful chemicals into food?

No, hemp bioplastic food packaging does not leach harmful chemicals when properly tested. Always check for compliance with FDA migration limits for peace of mind.

3. Is hemp plastic biodegradable?

Yes, hemp plastic is biodegradable in industrial composting, breaking down within months and reducing landfill waste compared to conventional plastics.

4. What are the disadvantages of hemp plastic in food packaging?

Disadvantages include shorter shelf life in hot or humid settings, current high costs, and limited recyclability when blended with regular plastics. 

5. Is hemp plastic stronger than traditional plastic?

Hemp plastic is typically stronger and stiffer than regular plastics. This makes it suitable for a range of food-safe packaging applications.