Comprehensive Guide to Compliance Standards for Common Food-Grade Plastics

The compliance of food-grade plastics centers on preventing harmful substance migration during food contact to ensure food safety. Major global standards include China’s GB 4806 series, EU’s (EU) No 10/2011, and the U.S. FDA 21 CFR. Below is a detailed breakdown:

I. China’s Core Standard System (GB 4806 Series)

Basic Framework Standards

GB 4806.1-2016: General safety requirements for food contact materials/products, defining basic safety principles and technical indicators.

GB 4806.7-2023: Plastic materials/products for food contact (effective September 6, 2024, replacing previous standards), integrating resin and product regulations and adding starch-based plastics.

GB 31604 Series: Migration test methods (e.g., overall/specific migration).

GB 9685-2016: Additive usage standards for food contact materials/products, specifying allowed additives and limits.

Key Technical Requirements

Key indicators include: odor-free, non-foreign substances, normal color (sensory); overall migration ≤10mg/dm² (general materials) or ≤60mg/kg (infant products); potassium permanganate consumption ≤10mg/kg (aqueous simulant); heavy metals (Pb) ≤0.01mg/kg; specific migration limits for hundreds of high-risk substances (e.g., DEHP ≤1.5mg/kg, BPA ≤0.05mg/kg); aromatic primary amine migration detection limit ≤0.01mg/kg.

Raw Material & Additive Regulations

187 resin types (e.g., PE, PP, PS, PET) are approved. Additives must comply with GB 9685; starch-based plastics require ≥40% edible starch.

II. Major International Compliance Standards

EU Standards

EC 1935/2004: Framework regulation (no health risks, no food property changes, traceability, GMP).

(EU) No 10/2011*: Plastic-specific standard (same overall migration as China; stricter BPA limit ≤1μg/kg, banned in baby bottles).

German LFGB: Rigorous sensory/migration tests simulating real use conditions.

U.S. FDA Standards

21 CFR Part 177 classifies plastics: §177.1520 regulates PE/PP additives; strict BPA limits for PC (banned in baby bottles). FDA emphasizes no food odor/color changes and material stability under real use conditions.

Other International Standards

Japan: Food Sanitation Act and MHLW notices (detailed plastic/additive rules).

South Korea: Food contact material standards (similar to China’s GB 4806).

III. Specific Compliance Requirements for Common Food-Grade Plastics

PE: Types (LDPE/HDPE/LLDPE); ≤0.1% plasticizer; used for wraps/bags (≤80°C).

PP: Microwave-safe (≤120°C); used for containers; control catalyst residues/heavy metals; avoid prolonged contact with high-fat foods.

PET: Disposable (e.g., beverage bottles); control monomer migration; no reuse (especially for acidic/hot liquids); EU acetaldehyde limit ≤1ppm.

PS: Types (GPPS/EPS); styrene migration ≤0.05mg/kg; ≤70°C; avoid oily foods.

PC: BPA migration limits (China ≤0.05mg/kg, EU ≤1μg/kg); banned in baby bottles; adult use only (≤100°C).

Special Plastics: PLA (≥40% edible starch); unvulcanized TPE (comply with GB 4806.7-2023).

IV. Compliance Certification & Labeling

China Market Process

Source compliant raw materials; follow GMP; third-party testing; label "food contact use," material, temperature limits, etc. (additional labeling for infant products).

International Market Certification

EU: Pass (EU) No 10/2011; label "Complies with EC 1935/2004."

U.S.: Meet FDA 21 CFR Part 177; FDA certification.

Global: Consider NSF/LFGB certification for wider recognition.

V. Compliance Trends & Notes

Tighter Standards: China’s GB 4806.7-2023 lowers BPA limits; EU "zero tolerance" for high-risk substances.

Usage Matching: Use PP for high temperatures; avoid PC/PS for oily foods; test durable products for long-term safety.

Common Mistakes: Ignore additive compliance; neglect usage conditions; confuse food-grade with general plastics.

Food-grade plastic compliance is critical for food safety. Enterprises should implement full-process management, while consumers should use labeled products correctly.