China Solicits Comments on Four New Food-Contact Materials

On January 3, 2024, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) solicited comments on four food-contact materials and articles: two new additives and two new resins. Comments are due by January 21, 2024.

New Food-Contact Additives

1. Chromium iron oxide (CAS No. 12737-27-8) is to be cleared for use in plastics at a maximum use level of 2%. Plastic materials and articles containing this substance may not be used in the production of food-contact materials and articles for infants and young children. In addition, this additive must comply with the purity requirements for colorants in GB 9685-2016, and these restrictions must be labeled in accordance with GB 4806.1.
2. Bicyclo[2.2.1] heptane-2,3-dicarboxylic acid, calcium salt 1:1), (1R,2R,3S,4S）-rel- (CAS No. 839683-04-4) is to be cleared for use in polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) at a maximum use level of 0.25%. The specific migration level (SML) is 5 mg/kg. PP and PE plastic materials and articles containing this substance may not be used for the production of food-contact materials and articles for infants and young children. The use temperature may not exceed 100°C. These restrictions must be labeled in accordance with GB 4806.1.

New Resins

1. Polybutylene succinate adipate (CAS No. 67423-06-7) is to be cleared for use in plastics at the necessary usage level. The SMLs are 5 mg/kg (as 1,4-butanediol) and 0.05 mg/kg (tetrahydrofuran). This substance may not be used for the production of food-contact materials and articles for infant and young children use. PBSA plastics and products produced from this substance may not be used in contact with acidic foods and foods with ethanol content higher than 10%, and shall be for one-time use only, filled at room temperature and stored at room temperature for a long time (including hot filling and pasteurization at T≤70°C, t≤2h or T≤100°C, t≤15min). These restrictions must be labeled in accordance with GB 4806.1.
2. 1,3-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, polymer with 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid and 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CAS No. 26124-27-6) is to be cleared for use in in plastics at the necessary usage level. The SMLs are 5 mg/kg (as 1,3-benecarboxylic acid) and 7.5 mg/kg (as 1,4-benecarboxylic acid). This substance may not be used for the production of food-contact materials and articles for infants and young children. PCT plastics and products produced from this substance must be filled at room temperature and stored at room temperature for a long time (including hot filling and pasteurization at T≤70°C, t≤2h or T≤100°C, t≤15min). These restrictions must be labeled in accordance with GB 4806.1.