LFGB Certification Test Items

What is LFGB Certification?

LFGB (Lebensmittel-, Bedarfsgegenstände- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch)is the German Food, Commodities, and Feed Code.

Any food-related product or material that enters the German market must obtain LFGB approval.

Food contact materials must pass relevant tests and obtain an LFGB Test Reportbefore being sold in Germany.

Although LFGB is a German standard, it is highly recognized throughout Europe.

Even though the EU has its own regulations for food contact materials, many European customers regard lfgb certification more highly.

Therefore, most clients require an LFGB test report rather than an EU food-grade test report.

In summary:For any product that falls within the scope of food-grade testing and is intended for export to the EU, LFGB certification is the best choice.

Which Products Require LFGB Certification?

1. Tableware:bowls, cups, knives, forks, spoons, kettles, plates, dishes, chopsticks, trays, napkins, straws, etc.

2. Kitchenware:knives, pots, spatulas, basins, peelers, barbecue racks/forks, etc.

3. Kitchen Appliances:juicers, soy milk makers, coffee machines, kettles, ovens, microwaves, rice cookers, sterilizers, dishwashers, blenders, toasters, range hoods, gas stoves, induction cookers, etc.

4. Food Packaging Materials:cling film, storage bags, food containers, jars, seasoning bottles, sealed jars, tablecloths, paper, etc.

5. Children’s Products:baby bottles, nipples, teethers, thermos cups, bottle warmers, baby food preparation tools, etc.

6. New Process Products:

- Chromium plating on barbecue grills

- Teflon coating heat resistance test for frying pans

- Silicone gasket testing in kettles

LFGB Test Content

LFGB testing for materials generally includes peroxide value testing, overall migration testing, and sensory testing, among others.

The specific test items vary depending on the material type.

To pass LFGB, products must not contain any chemically toxic substances.

Therefore, for any food-grade products exported to Germany or the EU, LFGB testing is essential.

① General Plastic Products

- Overall migration test

- Sensory test

 ② PVC Plastic Products

- Overall migration test

- Peroxide value test

- Sensory test

③ PE Plastic Products

- Overall migration test

- Peroxide value test

- Chromium content test

- Vanadium content test

- Zirconium content test

- Sensory test

④ PS, ABS, SAN, Acrylic Plastic Products

- Peroxide value test

- Overall migration test

- (VOM) Total volatile organic matter test

- Sensory test

⑤ PA, PU Plastic Products

- Overall migration test

- Peroxide value test

- Aromatic amine migration test

- Sensory test

 ⑥ PET Plastic Products

- Overall migration test

- Zinc content test

- Lead content test

- Peroxide value test

- Sensory test

⑦ Silicone Rubber Products

- Three overall migration tests

- (VOM) Volatile organic matter test

- Peroxide value test

- Organotin compound test

- Sensory test

⑧ Rubber Products

- Three overall migration tests

- Formaldehyde release test

- Zinc content test

- Lead content test

- Aromatic amine migration test

- Nitrosamine content test

- Sensory test

⑨ Paper Products (PCP)

- Pentachlorophenol (PCP) test

- Heavy metal release (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr VI)

- Antibacterial component migration test

- Formaldehyde content test

- Glyoxal release test

- Colored paper – Azo dye test

⑩ Non-Stick Coated Products (e.g., Non-stick Pans)

- Aromatic amine release test

- Five overall migration tests

- Phenol release test

- Formaldehyde release test

- (VI) Hexavalent chromium release test

- (III) Trivalent chromium release test

- PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid ammonium salt) test

- Sensory test

⑪ Metal, Alloy, and Electroplated Products

- Heavy metal release test (lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel)

- Sensory test

⑫ PP Plastic Products

- Overall migration test

- Chromium content test

- Vanadium content test

- Zirconium content test

- Sensory test

⑬ Baking Paper Products

- Appearance

- Thermal stability

- Antibacterial component migration test

- (PCBs) Polychlorinated biphenyls test

- Formaldehyde release test

- Sensory test

⑭ Wooden Products

- (PCP) Pentachlorophenol test

- Formaldehyde release test

- Sensory test

⑮ Ceramic, Glass, and Enamel Products (Food Contact Parts)

- Lead and cadmium release test

- Additional lead and cadmium release test at cup rim

- Sensory test

Key Points of LFGB Certification

LFGB testing differs from other food-grade tests in that it has more comprehensive requirements for plastic products.

Different plastic materials such as PC, PVC, and PEare tested under distinct standards, making the results more reliable and standardized.

In addition to overall migration testing, LFGB also requires Section 30 & 31 Sensory Testing, which mainly evaluates odor and taste.

Because LFGB testing standards are stricter than those of other countries, LFGB test reports are widely recognized internationally.