Food Contact Material Testing

Food Contact Materials (FCMs)refer to materials that come into contact with food during normal use. Because they directly touch food, their safety directly affects food quality and consumer health, making them a key control point in production. These include food packaging, tableware, kitchenware, food processing machinery, and kitchen appliances. Typical materials are plastics, resins, rubber, silicone, metals, alloys, paper, cardboard, glass, ceraMICs, enamels, colorants, and printing inks.

During food production, storage, and transportation, FCMs can influence the sensory qualities of food and may release toxic substances such as heavy metals and harmfUL additives. These can migrate into food and pose health risks. Therefore, every country enforces strict standards and testing requirements for FCMs, though these standards vary by region.

China GB4806 Food Contact Material Testing

GB4806is China’s national standard for food contact materials. It regulates the safety and suitability of FCMs to ensure that, under normal conditions, they do not contaminate food and thus protect consumer health.

1. Major Test Items

- Evaporation residue in various food simulants

- Permanganate consumption

- Heavy metals (as lead)

- Decolorization test

- Heavy metal migration tests (lead, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, nickel, etc.)

- Residual toxic monomers (vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile, etc.)

- Microbiological testing

2. Key Standards under GB4806

- GB 4806.1-2016 General Safety Requirements for Food Contact Materials and Articles

- GB 4806.2-2015 Nipples

- GB 4806.3-2016 Enamelware

- GB 4806.4-2016 Ceramicware

- GB 4806.5-2016 Glassware

- GB 4806.6-2016 Plastic Resins for Food Contact

- GB 4806.7-2016 Plastic Materials and Articles

- GB 4806.8-2016 Paper and Cardboard Materials

- GB 4806.9-2016 Metal Materials and Articles

- GB 4806.10-2016 Coatings and Coating Layers

- GB 4806.11-2016 Rubber Materials and Articles

U.S. FDA Food Contact Material Testing

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)regulates food, drugs, cosmetics, medical devices, and related substances. The FDA defines Food Contact Substances (FCSs)as components used in materials that manufacture, package, transport, or support food, provided they have no technical effect on the food itself.

1. Scope of FDA Testing

Includes all materials and products that come into contact with food during processing, manufacturing, packaging, storage, transportation, and use. Common examples are plastics, metals, ceramics, paper, enamels, rubber, silicone, glass, wood, bamboo, fibers, and coated materials.

2. Relevant FDA Standards

- 21 CFR 175.300 — Resin and polymer coatings

- 21 CFR 176.170 — Paper and paperboard for aqueous and fatty foods

- 21 CFR 177.1010 — Acrylic and modified acrylic plastics

- 21 CFR 177.1210 — Gasket sealing materials for food containers

- 21 CFR 177.1240 — Copolymers of terephthalate and isophthalate esters

3. Typical FDA Test Methods

Extraction and migration tests using deionized water, alcohol, n-heptane, and organic solvents such as ethyl acetate, benzene, and xylene. Additional tests include extractable fluorides, pentachlorophenol (PCP), total nonvolatile extractables, melting point, specific gravity, and residual monomers (styrene, vinyl chloride, acrylonitrile).

EU Food Contact Material Testing — Regulation (EC) No.1935/2004

Since 2005, EU Regulation (EC) No.1935/2004has governed materials that contact food. Effective from October 27, 2006, all exports to the EU must comply with this directive.

1. Main Test Items

- Plastics (EU No.10/2011): Overall migration test

- Ceramics and Glass (2005/31/EC): Lead and cadmium release

- Silicone Rubber (AP 2004/5): Overall migration test

- Melamine Resin (AP 2004/5): Overall migration and formaldehyde release

- Organic Coatings (AP 2004/1): Overall migration test

- Rubber (AP 2004/5 & 93/11/EEC): Overall migration, nitrosamine, and aromatic amine tests

- Paper (AP 2002/1): PCP, preservative efficacy, heavy metals

- Wood: PCP and formaldehyde release

- Metals/Alloys/Plating: Heavy metal release

2. Product Scope

Includes tableware (metal, plastic, wood, disposable), kitchen tools (cutting boards, pots, enamel cookware), cooking utensils, insulated containers (thermoses, flasks), and small kitchen appliances (mixers, blenders, coffee machines).

Germany LFGB Food Contact Material Testing

1. Definition and Significance

LFGB(Lebensmittel-, Bedarfsgegenstände- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch) is Germany’s Food and Commodities Act. Products intended to contact food in Germany must pass LFGB testing and obtain a compliance report.

2. The “Knife and Fork” Mark

This symbol indicates that a product meets LFGB and EU standards for food safety. It confirms that the product is free from harmful substances and approved for use in food contact across the EU.

3. Typical Tested Materials

PVC, stainless steel, metals, rubber, wood, styrene polymers, nylon, Teflon coatings, ceramics, glass, enamel, and general plastics.

4. Product Categories

Covers tableware (cups, bowls, plates, chopsticks, straws), kitchenware (knives, pots, pans, utensils), kitchen appliances (juicers, blenders, coffee machines, ovens), packaging materials (plastic wraps, storage containers), and children’s products (baby bottles, nipples, teethers).

5. Common Test Parameters

- Overall migration and sensory evaluation

- Peroxide value and oxidation stability

- Heavy metal content (Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni, Zn)

- Formaldehyde and aromatic amine migration

- Nitrosamine and organotin compound testing

- PCP, glyoxal, and azo dye testing

- Non-stick coating migration (phenol, PFOA, chromium)

France DGCCRF Food Contact Material Testing

The DGCCRF(Directorate for Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Prevention) regulates food contact materials in France. In addition to EU Regulation (EC) No.1935/2004, French regulations such as DGCCRF 2004-64and Décret No.92-631impose specific requirements, particularly for metals and coated cookware.

Main Test Items

- Overall migration testing

- Primary aromatic amine migration

- Heavy metal migration

- Residual vinyl chloride monomer

- Additional tests based on material type and intended use

Italy DM Food Contact Material Testing

Italy’s Ministerial Decree (DM) 21/03/1973, under Law No.777 of 1982, regulates food contact materials. While aligned with EU Directive 2002/72/EC, it adds specific requirements for rubber, silicone, glass, and stainless steel.

Key Testing Categories

- General plastics

- Polycarbonate (PC)

- Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

- Plastic lids, O-rings, gaskets

- Polyurethane (PU) and polyamide (PA)

- Melamine resin (melamine ware)

- Aluminum and aluminum alloys (Decree No.76/2007)

- Stainless steel (Decree No.179/2019)

- Enamel (DMH No.20072/2014)

- Rubber and silicone rubber

- Ceramics (DM04/04/1985 & 84/500/EEC)

- Glass materials

Contact Information

For professional consultation and testing services covering China GB4806, U.S. FDA, EU (EC) No.1935/2004, Germany LFGB, France DGCCRF, and Italy DMstandards, please contact JJR Laboratory Testing.