China Solicits Comments on Three New Food Contact Materials

On April 22, 2022, China’s National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) requested comments on expanded use for one food-contact material and two new resins. The substances and specifications are listed below.

Food-Contact Materials with Expanded Usage

1. 2-(5-Chloro-2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-methylphenol (CAS No. 3896-11-5) for use in polystyrene (PS) at a maximum use level of 0.5% and specific migration level (SML) of 30 mg/kg (as 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 foods with an ethanol content higher than 50% of fatty foods. These restrictions must be labeled in accordance with 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 No. 143472-08-6 and 160994-68-3) for use in adhesives with indirect food contact at the dosage as necessary and with an SML of non-detectable (ND), where the detection limit is 0.01 mg/kg as isocyanate moiety, and a maximum permitted residual content (QM) of 1 mg/kg as isocyanate moiety.
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 for use in coatings and coating layers at a maximum use level of 80% (on dry film weight basis) 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 (trimethylolpropane). Coatings and coating layers using this substance as raw materials may not be used to produce food-contact materials and articles specific for infants and young children. These restrictions must be labeled in accordance with the provisions of GB 4806.1.