China Approves New Food-Contact Materials

On October 22, 2021, China National Health Commission (NHC) approved one new food-contact material, one food-contact material with usage expanded, and 3 new resins. The substances and specifications are listed below.

New Food-Contact Materials and Articles

1. 2-Propen-1-aminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-2-propen-1-yl-, chloride (1:1), polymer with 2-propenamide, decarboxylated, hydrochlorides (CAS No. 913068-94-7) for use in paper and paperboard at a maximum use level of 0.5% (on dry paper basis) and with a specific migration limit (SML) of Non-detectable (ND) for acrylamide, where the detection limit is 0.01 mg/kg. The paper and paper board materials containing this substance may not contact infant food or breast milk.

Food-Contact Materials and Articles with Expanded Usage

1. Paraffin wax (CAS No. 8002-74-2) for use in rubber at a maximum use level of 3%. Rubber materials and articles containing this substance may only be used in contact with milk and dairy beverages and may not contact infant food or breast milk. In addition, the use temperature for these materials and articles may not exceed 40°C and the content of benzodiazepine in this substance may not exceed 0.1 mg/kg.

New Resins

1. 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, polymer with 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and 1,3-propanediol, 2-methyl for use in coatings and coating layers at a maximum use level of 80% (as dry film) and SMLs of 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 (Trihydroxymethylpropane). Coatings and coating layers containing this substance as raw materials may not be used at temperatures exceeding 130°C and may not contact infant food or breast milk.
2. Styrene polymer with ethyl acrylate, methacrylic acid, and glycidyl methacrylate (CAS No. 56990-26-2) for use in coatings and coating layers at a maximum use level of 82.1% (as dry film) and SMLs of 6 mg/kg (as acrylic acid), 6 mg/kg (as methyl acrylic) and 0.02 mg/kg (as methyl acrylic shrinks the glycerides). Coatings and coating layers using this substance as raw materials may not be used at temperatures exceeding 130°C and may not contact infant food or breast milk. When glycidyl methacrylate reacts with food or food simulants, use 0.02 mg/6dm2 (QM) as their limit value. 
3. 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate and 2-propenoic acid (CAS No. 39332-53-1) for use in coatings and coating layers at a maximum use level of 16.3% (on dry film basis) and SMLs of 6 mg/kg (as acrylic acid) and 6 mg/kg (as methacrylic acid). Coatings and coating layers containing this substance as raw materials may not be used at temperatures exceeding 130°C and may not contact infant food or breast milk.