China Approves New and Expanded Usage for Food-Contact Materials

On December 1, 2023, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) approved one new food-contact additive, one new resin, and expanded usage for two food-contact materials. The substances and specifications are listed below.

Expanded Usage for Food-Contact Materials

1. N,N'-Hexane-1,6-diylbis[3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenylpropionamide] (CAS No. 23128-74-7) is cleared for use in polyurethane (PU) conveyor belts at a maximum use level of 0.5%. The specific migration level (SML) is 45 mg/kg. The PU conveyor belt containing this substance are limited to conditions under T≤70°C, t≤2h or T≤100°C, t≤15 min. and may not contact infant foods. The above restricted use requirements must be labeled in accordance with the provisions of GB 4806.1.
2. Pentaerythritoltetrakis(3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate) (CAS No. 6683-19-8) is cleared for use in polyurethane (PU) conveyor belts at a maximum use level of 0.5%. The PU conveyor belt containing this substance are limited to conditions under T≤70°C, t≤2h or T≤100°C, t≤15 min. and may not contact infant foods. The above restricted use requirements must be labeled in accordance with the provisions of GB 4806.1.

New Food-Contact Additives

1. Coffee grounds is cleared for use in polylactide (PLA) and polybutylene succinate (PBS) at a maximum use level of 20% for PLA and 10% for PSB. PLA and PBS Plastics containing this substance may not be used to produce food-contact materials and products specifically for infants and young children and the use temperature may not exceed 100°C. The above restricted use requirements must be labeled in accordance with the provisions of GB 4806.1.

New Resin

1. 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-,1,1-(1,4-butanediyl) ester, polymer with butyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate, butyl 2-propenoate and methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate is cleared for use in coatings and coating layers at a maximum use level of 46% (as painting formula). The SMLs are 6 mg/kg (as Methacrylic), 6 mg/kg (as acrylic acid), and 0.05 mg/kg for 2-methyl-,1,1-(1,4-butanediyl) ester. Coating and coating layers containing this substance may not be used to produce food-contact materials and products specifically for infants and young children and it may not contact fatty foods. The above restricted use requirements must be labeled in accordance with the provisions of GB 4806.1.