What are the food contact materials? What are the regulations on food contact materials? Food contact materials refer to materials and products that will come into contact with food in normal use, including not only all kinds of food packaging, tableware, kitchenware, processing equipment, but also adhesives, printing ink colorants and other auxiliary materials used for these products and materials.

EU regulations on food contact materials and products

The framework regulation of the EU food contact system is (EC) No 1935/2004, which has been developed so far, covering plastics (EU) No 10/2011, regenerated cellulose film 2007/42/EC, ceramic 84/500/EEC, rubber 93/11/EEC, active and intelligent materials (EC) No 450/2009 and other materials. In addition, some European countries such as Germany, Italy, France and the United Kingdom also have their own unique food contact material system.

Recent status of EU regulations on food contact materials: the EU regulations on food contact plastic products (EU) 10/2011 added 4 new permitted substances.

Requirements for food contact materials and products in the United States

The substances used in food packaging materials in the United States are regarded as indirect additives, which are included in the regulatory system of food additive safety and are uniformly managed by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The requirements for food contact materials and products in the United States are mainly in 21 CFR of the United States Federal Code.

Requirements for food contact materials and products in China

China has just completed the construction of its new food contact regulation system. The newly released 4806.1-11 series of standards stipulate the general and special requirements for food contact materials and products made of enamel, ceramics, glass, resin, plastic, paper and paperboard, metal, paint and coating, rubber and other materials.