Food packaging materials French DGCCRF testing matters needing attention
Date：2025-02-28 09:49:29 Classification
：【question】 Visits：
Regarding the precautions for food packaging materials to be tested by the French DGCCRF, the following key points are summarized based on regulatory requirements and industry practices:
I. Material classification and testing requirements
1. Material type distinction
- Plastic products (such as cling film, lunch boxes): need to test the overall migration amount, the dissolution amount of specific substances (such as plasticizers, bisphenol A), and meet the total migration limit (≤10mg/dm²).
- Metal products (such as stainless steel, aluminum foil):
- The coating and substrate need to be tested separately (such as stainless steel substrate needs to measure the migration of chromium and nickel, and the coating needs to measure lead and cadmium).
- Metals with organic coatings need to be tested for coating stability.
- Paper products (such as packaging boxes): need to test the migration of pentanoic acid, polychlorinated biphenyls and heavy metals.
2. Special functional materials
- Composite materials (such as aluminum-plastic packaging): need to test the migration amount of each material in layers.
- Seals containing silicone or rubber: need to evaluate volatile organic matter (VOM) and peroxide value.
II. Notes on core testing items
1. Migration test conditions
- Select the simulation liquid according to the type of food in contact (such as 3% acetic acid for acidic food and olive oil for oils).
- High-temperature contact materials (such as microwave packaging) need to be tested for migration at high temperature (70℃ or 100℃).
2. Sensory test
- The material must not change the color, aroma and taste of the food, and must be evaluated by smell, taste and vision (such as plastic packaging must not have odor).
3. Chemical limit requirements
- Heavy metal dissolution: lead ≤0.01mg/kg, cadmium ≤0.002mg/kg (metal products are more stringent).
- Primary aromatic amines (PAAs), vinyl chloride monomer and other carcinogens must not be detected.
III. Certification process optimization suggestions
1. Sample preparation
- Provide complete product information (material composition, production process), and metal products must be marked with alloy ratios.
- Send actual samples of the food contact parts (e.g. 50g for plastic packaging and finished products for metal products).
2. Institution selection and cycle
- CNAS/CMA qualified laboratories (e.g. Shenzhen Dezewei Testing) are preferred, with a regular cycle of 5-7 days and an expedited cycle of 3-5 days.
- It is recommended to communicate the test plan in advance for composite materials or special function products to avoid repeated inspections.
IV. Label and document compliance
1. Label content
- "Food contact use", applicable temperature range, and contraindications (e.g. "Do not microwave") must be marked.
- Products with coatings must indicate maintenance tips such as "Do not scratch the coating".
2. Technical documents
- Raw material safety declarations and production batch records must be retained to respond to DGCCRF market spot checks.
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