On July 28, China's National Health Commission (NHC) issued a series of national food safety standards in Announcement No. 3 of 2022. These include the revised "Paper and Cardboard Materials and Products for Food Contact" (GB 4806.8-2022) and the new standards for "Bamboo and Wood Materials and Products for Food Contact" (GB 4806.12-2022). The implementation date of GB 4806.8-2022 is June 30, 2023, and the implementation date of GB 4806.12-2022 is December 30, 2022.

Revised GB 4806.8-2022 Standard for Paper and Paperboard

GB 4806.8-2022 is the first revision of food contact paper and paperboard materials and products since it was first published in 2016. The main changes and requirements are as follows:

Raw material requirements

Raw materials used for food contact paper and cardboard materials and products should not pose a hazard to human health. The fiber raw material should be mainly plant fiber. For synthetic fibers, it should meet the requirements of the corresponding national food safety standards.

The use of additives shall comply with the provisions of GB 9685 and relevant announcements of the National Health Commission.

Sensory requirements

Added note: Decolorization of unbleached and uncolored paper and board is not considered abnormal coloration.

General physical and chemical indicators

According to the experimental analysis results, the relevant regulations on the consumption of potassium permanganate are removed.

Added requirements for 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol (≤ 2µg/L) and 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (≤12 mg/kg).

Other technical requirements

For food contact paper and cardboard materials and products that use coatings, inks (or) adhesives, etc., they should meet the requirements of the corresponding national food safety standards for coatings, inks (or) adhesives.

Added Appendix C, Test Methods for Determination of 1,3-DCP and 3-MCPD in Water Extracts.

The test method for microbial indicator mold adds a sample pretreatment step: cut paper scraps of 5mm X 5mm in a sterile environment, and then check and count according to the method for solid samples in GB4789.15.

National Standard for Bamboo and Wood Materials and Products for Food Contact GB 4806.12-2022

GB 4806.12-2022 is the first national food safety standard for bamboo and wood (including cork) materials and products for food contact. It helps improve the current lack of food safety standards and provides clear guidance for such materials. The standard specifies technical requirements such as raw material requirements, sensory requirements, physical and chemical indicators, and microbial limits. The main contents are as follows:

Bamboo and wood materials and products for food contact shall meet the general requirements of GB 4806.1.

Raw material requirements

Raw materials used for food contact bamboo and wood products should not harm human health.

The use of inks, waxes and other additives shall comply with the provisions of GB 9685 and the relevant announcements of the National Health Commission.

Sensory requirements

Normal color, no burrs, moth, odor, mildew or other dirt.

The solution obtained from the migration test shall not have any deterioration of organoleptic properties such as sedimentation, unusual odor, unusual color.

Physical and chemical indicators

Other technical requirements

Bamboo and wood materials and products used for food contact with coatings, inks (or) adhesives shall comply with the corresponding national food safety standards such as corresponding coatings, inks (or) adhesives.