Plastic food packaging in Benin: An inventory of product origins, labeling compliance, polymer identification and recyclability

Plastic packaging plays a critical role in the preservation and distribution of food products, yet its environmental and health impacts require strict oversight. This study conducted an inventory of plastic-packaged food products in Benin to assess their origins, labeling compliance, and polymer composition. A structured survey was carried out across 332 food retail outlets (markets, convenience stores, and supermarkets) in Porto-Novo and Cotonou, identifying 793 plastic-packaged food products from 36 different countries, reflecting notable geographical diversity. Imported products dominated (67.94%), mainly from France (17.14%), India (16.67%), and Nigeria (16.43%), while locally produced items accounted for 27.43%.   Regarding recyclability labeling, 37% of the packaging lacked a recycling symbol, with imported products (68.96%) being the most affected. Polymer identification revealed that 48.42% of products did not specify the type of plastic used. Among the remaining 51.58%, the polymers identified included PET (18.41%), PP (9.33%), polycarbonate (7.06%), HDPE (5.80%), LDPE (4.79%), PS (4.29%), and PVC (1.89%). These findings highlight deficiencies in labeling transparency and regulatory compliance, underscoring the need to strengthen standards and develop more effective waste management strategies.