European and American Food Contact Materials Testing

What is food contact materials testing?

Food-grade testing refers to the safety evaluation of Food Contact Materials (FCM) and articles to ensure that they do not release harmful substances under normal conditions of use, thereby safeguarding food safety and consumer health.

• Core Objective: To prevent chemical substances in food contact materials from migrating into food, which could cause contamination or health hazards.

• Scope of Application: Includes materials that come into direct or indirect contact with food, such as food packaging, containers, tableware, processing equipment, etc.

Scope of Food Contact Materials Testing

Food-grade testing applies to the following materials and articles intended to come into contact with food:

1. Plastic Products: Food packaging bags, cling film/plastic wrap, plastic tableware, beverage bottles, etc.

2. Metal Products: Stainless steel tableware, cans, baking molds, etc.

3. Glass Products: Glass bottles, glass containers, etc.

4. Ceramic Products: Ceramic tableware, cups, plates, etc.

5. Paper Products: Food packaging paper, paper cups, paper boxes, etc.

6. Rubber Products: Sealing rings, pacifiers/teats, etc.

7. Coated Products: Non-stick pans, food processing equipment coatings, etc.

Food Contact Materials Testing Items

Food-grade testing items vary depending on the material type and intended use. They primarily include the following:

1. General Testing Items

• Sensory Testing: Evaluates whether the material affects the color, odor, or taste of the food.

• Overall Migration (OML): Evaluates the total amount of substances migrating from the material into food simulants.

• Heavy Metal Migration: Detects the migration levels of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium.

2. Plastic Material Testing

• Specific Migration (SML): Detects the migration of specific substances such as phthalates, BISphenol A (BPA), formaldehyde, etc.

• Residual Monomers: Detects unreacted monomers in plastics (e.g., vinyl chloride, styrene).

3. Metal Material Testing

• Heavy Metal Release: Detects the release levels of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, nickel, and chromium.

• Corrosion Testing: Evaluates the corrosion resistance of metal materials in acidic or alkaline foods.

4. Ceramic and Glass Material Testing

• Lead and Cadmium Release: Detects the release amounts of lead and cadmium from glazed surfaces.

5. Paper Product Testing

• Fluorescent Whitening Agents: Detects the presence of fluorescent whitening agents in paper products.

• Pentachlorophenol (PCP): Detects the presence of prohibited preservatives in paper products.

6. Rubber Material Testing

• N-Nitrosamines: Detects the content of N-nitrosamines in rubber products.

• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Detects the migration of PAHs in rubber.

Food Contact Materials Testing Standards

1. International Standards:

• EU Regulations:

• (EU) No 10/2011 (Plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food).

• (EC) No 1935/2004 (Framework regulation on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food).

• (EC) No 2023/2006 (Good Manufacturing Practice, GMP).

• US FDA Standards:

• 21 CFR Parts 175-178 (Regulations for food contact materials).

2. Industry Standards:

• German LFGB: German Food, Tobacco, Cosmetics, and Other Daily Consumer Goods Code.

• French DGCCRF: Safety requirements for food contact materials in France.

Food Contact Materials Testing Lead Time

• Standard Lead Time: 7-10 working days (depending on sample complexity and the number of testing items).

• Expedited Service: Can be shortened to 3-5 working days (additional fees apply).

Required Documents for Testing and Certification

1. Product Information:

• Product name, model, intended use, and material composition list (e.g., plastic type, coating ingredients, etc.).

1. Sample Requirements:

• Finished products or representative materials (e.g., plastic pellets, metal sheets, etc.); the required quantity depends on the testing items.

1. Technical Documents:

• Manufacturing process descriptions and supply chain material declarations (e.g., usage of additives).

1. Application Form:

• Specify the testing standards (e.g., EU No 10/2011, US FDA 21 CFR) and the target market (e.g., EU, USA).

Important Considerations

1. Regional Differences:

• The EU, USA, and China have different regulatory requirements for food contact materials, necessitating targeted testing.

1. Dynamic Updates:

• Regulations and standards are updated periodically (e.g., the addition of newly restricted substances) and require continuous tracking.

1. Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP):

• The production process of food contact materials must comply with GMP requirements to ensure product consistency.

1. Labeling Requirements:

• Certain markets require specific markings such as "Food Grade" or symbols indicating "For Food Contact."

Summary:

Food-grade testing is a crucial link in ensuring the safety of food contact materials. Enterprises must select testing items based on the regulations of their target markets and ensure that their materials, production processes, and supply chains comply with these requirements. It is highly recommended to choose an ISO 17025-accredited laboratory for testing and certification.