The term FCMs refers to all the Food Contact Materials and water, except for fixed public or private water supply equipment. Therefore, they include:

• Objects and materials intended to come into contact with food
• Objects and materials that already are in contact with food and are intended for that purpose
• Objects and materials that are reasonably expected to be put in contact with food or that may transfer their components to food under normal or foreseeable conditions of use

The testing set out in the regulations on FCMs pursues a twofold objective: Proving that the materials are sufficiently inert to prevent substances that may endanger human health from being transferred to food or from bringing about a change in the organoleptic properties.

The European regulatory framework of reference is EC Regulation No 1935/2004 repealing the previous Directives No 80/590/EEC and No 89/109/EEC. This Regulation sets out the general requirements for all the materials and objects concerned and the specific measures for 17 materials such as aluminium, stainless steel and other metal alloys, glass, ceramic, porcelain enamel and plastic.

FCMs must also comply with the requirements set out in EC Regulation No 2023/2006 on good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

More regulatory aspects of the utmost importance:

• FCMs must always have a proper label that must not mislead consumers and a declaration of conformity issued by the packaging manufacturer
• The traceability of materials must be ensured to make control activities easier and, in case of withdrawal from the market, for the protection of consumers and a proper allocation of responsibilities

An increasingly important aspect as regards FCMs is to prevent and identify the presence of NIAS (Non-Intentionally Added Substances) in the materials. These substances may come from the production process or external contamination. In the light of the exponential growth and demand for the use of recycled materials by authorities, NIAS research has become fundamental to elaborate a proper risk assessment in order to adopt a sustainable approach in the production of FCM.

Whitelab Laboratories offer all the global and specific migration testing required by the regulations of the EU and individual states, in compliance with the most important international standards (UNI EN, DIN, ISO, etc.).