Food Contact Materials Testing Lab

With the rise of takeout and packaged food,

Food Contact Materials (FCMs)and products, while providing convenience,

also significantly increase the risks to food safety.

What is FCM?

Food Contact Materials (FCMs)refer to materials that come into direct contact with food during the normal use of a product.

These materials include, but are not limited to: plastics, rubber, resins, silicone, metals, alloys, paper, cardboard, glass, ceramics, enamel, colorants, and printing inks.

They are widely used in food packaging, tableware, kitchenware, food processing machinery, and kitchen appliances.

Common Materials Tested

Testing materials mainly include, but are not limited to, the following categories:

rubber products, glassware, ceramics, silicone products, plastics, metals, paper, and wooden products.

- Plastics and related products: PS (Polystyrene), PP (Polypropylene), PE (Polyethylene), PC (Polycarbonate), PVC (Polyvinyl chloride), PA66 (Nylon 66), ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), etc.

- Metal products: Stainless steel (e.g., 304, 201, 316), cast iron, aluminum alloy, etc.

- Glass and ceramics: Ceramics, glass, crystal, etc.

- Rubber products: Rubber, silicone rubber, etc.

- Others: Epoxy resin, PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene), cardboard, wood, etc.

Products Tested

Testing covers a wide range of products, including but not limited to:

food packaging materials, food containers and utensils, tableware, kitchenware, household food processing tools, and food production machinery.

- Tableware: PS, PP, PE, PC, PVC, PA66, ABS, PET, etc.

- Kitchenware: Stainless steel (304, 201, 316), cast iron, aluminum alloy, etc.

- Food packaging containers: Ceramics, glass, crystal, etc.

- Kitchen appliances: Rubber, silicone rubber, etc.

- Children’s products: Epoxy resin, PTFE, cardboard, wood, etc.

- Processing equipment: Pipelines, production lines, machines, etc.

- Others: Resins, coatings, inks, and surface treatments.

Why Conduct FCM Testing?

The primary purpose of FCM testing is to ensure that materials in direct or indirect contact with food do not cause contamination or harm.

These tests verify whether harmful substances (e.g., chemicals, heavy metals, microorganisms) could migrate from the materials into food, potentially posing health risks to consumers.

Testing Regulations

China

- GB 4806.1-2016: General safety requirements for food contact materials and products

- GB 4806.2-2015: Food safety standard for rubber nipples

- GB 4806.3-2016: Food safety standard for enamel products

- GB 4806.4-2016: Food safety standard for ceramic products

- GB 4806.5-2016: Food safety standard for glass products

- GB 4806.6-2016: Food safety standard for food contact plastic resins

- GB 4806.7-2016: Food safety standard for food contact plastic materials and products

- GB 4806.8-2016: Food safety standard for food contact paper and cardboard materials and products

- GB 4806.9-2016: Food safety standard for food contact metal materials and products

- GB 4806.10-2016: Food safety standard for food contact coatings and layers

- GB 4806.11-2016: Food safety standard for food contact rubber materials and products

United States

- FDA 21 CFR 175.300: Coatings for resins and polymers

- FDA 21 CFR 176.170: Components of paper and board in contact with aqueous and fatty foods

- FDA 21 CFR 177.1010: Acrylic and modified acrylic plastics

- FDA 21 CFR 177.1210: Closures with sealing gaskets for food containers

- FDA 21 CFR 177.1240: Copolymers of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate and isophthalate

European Union

- Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004: Sets basic safety requirements for food contact materials

- Regulation (EU) No 10/2011: Detailed rules for plastic materials and products

- reach regulation: Governs chemicals, including substances used in food contact materials