There is no list of food-grade materials in Union law. Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 sets a general requirement that materials intended to come into contact with food must not transfer their constituents into food in quantities that could endanger human health, change the composition of the food unacceptably, or deteriorate its taste or smell. Whether a given material meets that is a documented conclusion about that material in that application, not a label a supplier can apply to a polymer.
Where harmonised rules exist
- Plastics. Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 provides a Union list of authorised substances, an overall migration limit, specific migration limits and prescribed food simulants, plus the mandatory declaration of compliance.
- Recycled plastics. A separate authorisation regime applies to recycling processes.
- Ceramics, regenerated cellulose and active and intelligent materials. Each has its own specific measure.
- Good manufacturing practice. Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 applies to every food contact material, including printing inks and coatings.
Where they do not
Paper and board, adhesives, coatings, inks and most rubbers have no harmonised Union specific measure. Compliance runs through the framework regulation plus national legislation in the member state concerned and, in practice, recognised industry reference documents. That is why a supplier’s answer for a corrugated case is usually thinner than its answer for a polyethylene bag, and why the question should be asked in writing.
Two practical filters cut through most of this. Ask which instrument the supplier is declaring against, and ask for the conditions of use the declaration covers. A supplier that cannot name either has not established food grade for your application.
Vorezan is an information platform and does not certify materials. Confirm current requirements in the Official Journal and with the competent authority in the market of sale.