China Approves New and Expanded Use for Food-Contact Materials

On September 7, 2022, the China National Health Commission (NHC) gave final approval to one expanded use for a food-contact substance, two new resins, and one expanded use for a resin. The substances and specifications are listed below.

Food-Contact Materials with Expanded Use

1. 2-(5-Chloro-2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methylphenol (CAS No. 3896-11-5) is to be cleared for use in polystyrene (PS) at a maximum use level of 0.5%. The specific migration level (SML) is 30 mg/kg [calculated in the sum of 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4-methylphenol, 2-(5-chloro-2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenol, and 2(-5-chloro-2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methylphenol]. Except for styrene homopolymer, PS plastic materials and articles containing this substance may not be used in contact with oily foods and foods containing more than 50% ethanol. The above restrictions must be labelled according to the provisions of GB 4806.1.

New Resins

1. Hexane, 1,6-diisocyanato-, polymer with poly (oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy- (CAS Nos. 143472-08-6 and 160994-68-3) is to be cleared for use in adhesives with indirect food contact at dosage as necessary. The SML is non-detectable (ND), where the detection limit (DL) is 0.01 mg/kg as isocyanate. The maximum permitted residual content (QM) is 1 mg/kg as isocyanate.
2. 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, polymer with 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,3-propanediol, 2-methyl-, and adipic acid is to be cleared for use in coatings and coating layers at a maximum use level of 80% (on a dry film basis). The SMLs are 7.5 mg/kg (as 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid); 5 mg/kg (as 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid); 5 mg/kg (2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol); 5 mg/kg (1,3-propanediol, 2-methyl-); and 6 mg/kg (trimethylolpropane). Coatings and coating layers containing this substance may not be used in the production of food-contact materials and articles for infants and young children. The above restrictions must be labelled according to the provisions of GB 4806.1.

Resins with Expanded Usage

1. Poly[imino-1,4-butanediylimino(1,10-dioxo-1,10-decanediyl)] (CAS No. 26247-06-3) is to be cleared for use in plastics at a dosage as necessary. The thickness of the single-use plastic film containing this substance may not exceed 50μm and the film may not be used for the production of food-contact materials and articles for infants and young children. The above restrictions must be labelled according to the provisions of GB 4806.1.