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Eurofins >> Consumer Product Testing >> Media Centre >> News >> Food Contact Materials | Monthly bulletin | October 2019

Food Contact Materials | Monthly bulletin | October 2019

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Eurofins newsflash Food Contact Materials

Regulatory news - Commercial news 

 

Regulatory news


 

Italy

 

New amendments for stainless steels and resins

 

On 16th August 2019, the Decree Nº 72 of May 9 2019 came into effect. This amendment applies to Section 6 Stainless steel of Annex II of the Decree of the Ministry of Health of 21 March 1973 Hygiene regulation for packaging, containers and utensils intended to come into contact with foodstuffs or substances for personal use.

 

The main changes are:

 

  • The following eight types of stainless steel are added to part A: (List of stainless steels that can be used in contact with food):

UNI EN 10088-1

AISI/ASTM

UNS

Code

Alphanumeric code

1.4598 (*)

 

AISI

316LK

1.4611

X2CrTi 21

 

 

1.4613

X2CrTi 24

 

 

1.4618

X9CrMnNiCu17-8-5-2

 

 

1.4547

X1CrNiMoCuN20-18-7

 

S31254

 

X2CrNiMnMoCuN21-3-1-1

 

S82031

 

X2CrMnNiMoCuN20-3-1-1

 

S82012

 

X2CrNiMoN 21-9-1

ASTM

S31655

(*)Provided that the objects manufactured with this steel are intended exclusively for the manufacture of parts of valve components in contact with water

 

  • Update of the table of composition range of elements of part B:

Type

C%

Si%

Mn%

P%

S%

N%

Cr%

Cu%

Mo%

Nb%

Ni%

Ti%

Other Elements%

a

0.05 max

1.0 max

2.0 max

0.045 max

0.030 max

0.08–0.20

22.0–25.0

-

2.5–3.5

-

4.5–6.5

-

-

b

0.08 max

1.0 max

3.8–7.5

0.045 max

0.015 max

0.05–0.25

17.0–18.0

1.5–3.5

 

-

3.5–5.5

-

-

c

0.03 max

2.00 max

1.00 max

0.04 max

0.25–0.35

-

17.0–19.0

-

1.50–2.50

-

-

-

-

d

0.08 max

1.00 max

2.50 max

0.04 max

0.15–0.35

-

17.5–19.5

-

1.50–2.50

-

0.75 max

-

-

e

0.08 max

1.00 max

1.50 max

0.04 max

0.25–0.35

-

16.0–18.0

-

0.80–1.70

-

0.50 max

-

-

f

0.010 max

0.50 max

0.50 max

0.040 max

0.030 max

0.015 max

13.75–15.00

-

-

0.10–0.30 #

-

0.05–0.20 #

Sn 0.10–0.25

g

0.010 max

0.50 max

0.50 max

0.040 max

0.030 max

0.015 max

16.00–18.00

0.40 max

-

0.10–0.25 #

0.40 max

0.05–0.15 #

Sn 0.10–0.50

h

0.020 max

1.00 max

1.00 max

0.040 max

0.006 max

0.025 max

19.00–21.00

0.30–0.60

-

0.30–0.80 #

0.60 max

0.20 max

-

i

0.8–0.95

0.35–0.5

0.25–0.4

0.4 max

0.03 max

-

17–18

-

1–1.25

-

0.25 max

-

V 0.08–0.12

l

1.85–1.95

0.40–0.80

0.20–0.50

0.03 max

0.03 max

-

19.00–21.00

-

0.80–1.20

-

-

-

V 3.80–4.20
W 0.40–0.80

m

Max 0.03

Max 1.00

Max 0.80

Max 0.040

Max 0.015

Max 0.030

20.00 24.00

0.30 0.80

Max 0.035

0.10 0.70

-

0.10 0.70

V 0.03 0.50

 

Other important amendment that has been published this year related to food contact materials is the Decree Nº 30 of February 7, 2019. It modifies Annex II - List of authorized substances for the preparation of objects intended for contact with food, Section 1: Plastics of the Decree of the Ministry of Health of 21 March 1973.

 

The following entry is added in Annex II, Section 1, Part A: Resins:

 

Substance

Requirement

N, N, N', N'-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl) adipamide

For the production of polymeric dispersions of polyolefin polymers functionalized with acrylic groups and / or anhydrides, used as coatings on metals, at a maximum use percentage of 6% with respect to the dry weight of the dispersion. For all types of food, in contact conditions of sterilization and / or pasteurization followed by prolonged storage at room temperature or below

 

 It was effective on 24th April of 2019.

 

Denmark

 

Organic fluorinated compounds ban in paper and cardboard

 

On 2nd September 2019, Danish Ministry of Environment and Food announced its plan to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in paper and cardboard used in food contact materials. It will take effect in July 2020.

 

The ban includes the use of all organic fluorinated compounds in paper and cardboard food contact materials. It will be possible to continue using recycled paper and paperboard for food contact, but if there is a fluorine content in the material, then it must be separated from the food with a barrier which ensures that fluoride does not migrate into the food.

 

Click here for getting more information from Danish Ministry of Environment and Food’s website (in Danish)

 

Germany

 

List of standards under ProdSG updated

 

On 6th September 2019, in the Joint Ministerial Journal No. 35 the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health announced the references to the standards and other technical specifications identified by the Committee for Product Safety (AfPS) according to the Product Safety Act – ProdSG.

 

For food contact products the updated standard is:

 

Code

Title

Replaced standard

DIN ISO 8442-9 September 2018

Materials and articles in contact with Foodstuffs - Cutlery and Tableholloware -Part 9: Requirements for ceramic knives (ISO 8442-9: 2018); German version EN ISO 8442-9: 2018

-

 

Update of AfPS PAH Guide

 

Recently, the German Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) published the new Updated AfPS Guide (AfPS GS 2019:01 PAK) for testing and evaluation of PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic hydrocarbons) under GS Mark.

 

The main changes compared to the current still valid AfPS GS 2014:01PAK, are the following:

 

  • The scope of categories 1, 2a and 3a has been extended to "use by children"
  • The list of PAHs has been shortened from 18 to 15 PAHs. Acenaphthylene (CAS No. 208-96-8). Acenaphthene (CAS No. 83-32-9), and fluorene (CAS No. 86-73-7) have been removed from the substance list
  • The term "Gefährdungsbeurteilung (risk / hazard assessment)" has been replaced by the term" Risikobeurteilung (risk assessment)"

 

When the GS mark is awarded, this new version must be applied from 1 July 2020 (including current procedures completed after 1 July 2020).

 

Existing GS mark certificates remain valid.

 

US | San Francisco

 

Ban and restriction for single-use food ware plastics

 

From 1st July 2019, the Single-Use Food ware Plastics, Toxics, and Litter Reduction Ordinance (File No. 181004) took effect in the City and County of San Francisco.

 

It prohibits the sale and/or restricts the distribution of plastic food ware accessories and bans toxic fluorinated chemicals in compostable paper food ware.

 

Below a summary table with the dates, bans and restrictions:

 

 

Starting 1st July 2019

Starting 1st July 2020

Retailers

Prohibition to sell single-use plastic stirrers, plastic beverage plugs, plastic cocktail sticks or plastic toothpicks

Compostable Food ware Criteria:

They must be Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) certified

Such as paper or other natural fiber to-go containers and straws, grease resistant paper, and paper plates

Food & Beverage

vendors:

Straw Restriction:

A single-use plastic straw may only be provided to a customer who specifically requests a plastic straw to accommodate a disability or medical need

 

Plastic Accessories Ban

Prohibition to provide single-use plastic stirrers, plastic beverage plugs, plastic cocktail sticks, and plastic toothpicks

 

All Food and Beverage Accessories:

It is prohibited to deliver them in a customer’s order for dine in or take away

 

 

Compostable Food ware Criteria:

They must be BPI certified

Such as paper or natural fiber to-go containers and straws, grease resistant paper, and paper plates

The following articles do not need to be BPI certified: Napkins, stirrers, splash sticks, cocktail sticks, toothpicks, or utensils made entirely of natural fiber like paper

 

More information is available at San Francisco Department of Environment’s website: about Plastic , litter, and toxics reduction law and purchasing and usage guidelines.

 

US

 

New substances added to FDA inventory of Effective Food Contact Substances

 

The following substances have been recently added to the Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substances (FCS) Notifications of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

 

FCN number

Substances

Date

1996

Acrylic resin derived from styrene (CAS Reg. No. 100-42-5), ethyl acrylate (CAS Reg. No. 140-88-5), and acrylic acid (CAS Reg. No. 79-10-7)

Aug 31, 2019

1991

Polyester-polyurethane adhesive formulated from the following: 1,3-benzenecarboxylic acid (CAS Reg. No. 121-91-5); 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (CAS Reg. No. 77-99-6); hexanedioic acid (CAS Reg. No. 124-04-9); 1,2-propanediol (CAS Reg. No. 57-55-6); diphenylmethane 4,4'-diisocyanate (CAS Reg. No. 101-68-8); bis(isocyanatophenyl) methane (CAS Reg. No. 26447-40-5); castor oil (CAS Reg. No. 8001-79-4); 1-propanamine, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)-N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]- (CAS Reg. No. 82985-35-1); poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], α-hydro-ω-hydroxy- (CAS Reg. No. 25322-69-4); ethanol, 2,2'-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy)]bis- (CAS Reg. No.112-27-6); poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], α,α',α''-1,2,3-propanetriyltris[ω-hydroxy- (CAS Reg. No. 25791-96-2)

Aug 21, 2019

1989

Cellulose acetate (CAS Reg. No. 9004-35-7), and optionally modified with propionate to form cellulose acetate propanoate (CAS Reg. No. 9004-39-1) resulting in up to 49 weight-percent propionate esters

Jul 11, 2019

1977

2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethenylbenzene, 2-ethylhexyl 2-propenoate, methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate and 2-methylpropyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate (CAS Reg. No. 1515850-94-8)

Aug 9, 2019

1974

2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, polymer with butyl 2-propenoate, ethenylbenzene, 2-ethylhexyl 2-propenoate, 2-methylpropyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate and 2-propenoic acid (CAS Reg. No. 103235-87-6

Aug 9, 2019

1970

2-Bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol (CAS Reg. No. 52-51-7)

Aug 1, 2019

1958

Fluorocarbon cured elastomer produced by copolymerizing tetrafluoroethylene (CAS Reg. No. 116-14-3) and propylene (CAS Reg. No. 115-07-1) and subsequent curing with triallylisocyanurate (CAS Reg. No. 1025-15-6) or triallylcyanurate (CAS Reg. No. 101-37-1) and 2,2’-bis(tert-butylperoxy)diisopropylbenzene (CAS Reg. No. 25155-25-3)

Jul 17, 2019

1957

The FCS is a reaction product of three polymers:

  1. 2-propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, polymer with 4,5-dihydro-2-(1-methylethenyl)oxazole and ethyl 2-propenoate (CAS Reg. No. 57460-65-8)
  2. methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, methacrylic acid, butanoic acid 3-oxo-2-[(2-methyl-1-oxo-2-propenyl)oxy]ethyl ester, 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate with poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-sulfo-omega-[4-nonyl-2-(1-propen-1-yl)phenoxy]-, branched, ammonium salts copolymer
  3. 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, polymer with 2-[(2-aminoethyl)amino]ethanol, 1,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)cyclohexane, decanedioic acid, 1,3-diisocyanatomethylbenzene, 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, 1,2-ethanediol and 3-hydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-2- methylpropanoic acid, compound with 1,1',1''-nitrilotris[2-propanol] (CAS Reg. No. 1239020-50-8)

REPLACES FCN 1767

Jul 3, 2019

 

US | California

 

Proposes to amend toxics limits in recycled glass packaging

 

Recently, a bill SB 232 was enrolled and presented to the California’s Governor which temporarily increase allowable total heavy metal limits in recycled glass packaging.

 

The Toxics in Packaging Prevention Act prohibits a person from offering for sale in this state a package exceeding 100 ppm of total concentration levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium.

 

However this bill, if signed into law, would increase to 200 ppm the allowable levels of total heavy metals in recycled glass packaging.

 

The exemption would be repealed on January 1, 2024.

 

Please click here for more information.

 

Brazil

 

Improvement proposal in the registration of products under INMETRO

 

On 2nd September 2019, the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology – INMETRO notified to World Trade Organization (WTO) their proposal Ordinance 404, 28 August 2019.

 

It proposes improvements in the criteria and procedures for the registration of products, inputs and services under INMETRO's regulatory scope and which compliance is compulsorily assessed. It would revoke INMETRO Ordinance 512, 11 November 2016.

 

Click here for getting the notification through the European Commission website with reference G/TBT/N/BRA/907.

 

India

 

Draft standard for printing inks in food contact materials

 

On 9th August 2019, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution published a draft standard on printing inks for food packaging (CHD 14 (14457) WC).

 

The consultation was opened until 8th September 2019.

 

Download the document here.

 

International

 

Microplastics in drinking water

 

On 22nd August 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a report on microplastics in drinking water (tap and bottled drinking-water and its sources) and their potential health impacts.

 

For example, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP) are the most frequently detected microplastic particles in fresh water. Some of these microplastics may come from treatment and distribution systems and/or the bottling process.

 

The WHO has called for more research into the issue to better understand and minimize the sources of plastic pollution

 

Product Recalls/Alerts

 

Below you will find a monthly summary of product recalls and alerts in Europe (Source “RASFF”) and in the US (Source “CPSC”)

 

Europe

 

RASFF (European Commission Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed - Alerts reported by EU national authorities).

 

The following 15 alerts regarding food contact materials have been reported, from 21th August until 20th September of 2019.

 

Product

Substance / Hazard

Nylon serving ladles

Migration of primary aromatic amines (anilin: 91 & 4,4'MDA: 11600 µg/kg - ppb)

Details

Bamboo dining set for children

Melamine (3.88 mg/kg - ppm)

Details

Plastic thermos

Missing import declaration

Details

Bamboo cups

Migration of melamine (3.33 mg/kg - ppm)

Details

Polypropylene accessories in cookware set

Migration of primary aromatic amines (5.577, 5.356, 4.701 mg/kg - ppm)

Details

Bamboo dishes

Too high level of overall migration (31.7 mg/dm²)

Details

Lids of thermo metal mugs

Migration of benzene (5.7 mg/kg - ppm)

Details

Coffee cups

Migration of melamine (between 8.3 and 11.8 mg/kg - ppm)

Details

Fixed blade knife

Migration of chromium (1 mg/kg - ppm)

Details

Egg whist

Migration of chromium (4.3 mg/kg - ppm)

Details

Plastic coated paper plates and cups

Too high level of overall migration (28 mg/dm²)

Details

Tea filter

Migration of chromium (3.5 mg/kg - ppm)

Details

Chromed iron grid

Migration of nickel (0.5 mg/kg - ppm)

Details

Chromed steel grid

Migration of nickel (0.8 mg/kg - ppm)

Details

Bamboo pots

Migration of formaldehyde (71 mg/kg - ppm)

Details

 

US

 

From on 21th August until 20th September of 2019, CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) has published the following recalls: 0 recalls regarding Food contact materials.

 

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