China approves 23 substances to be used in food contact materials/articles

On 31 May 2016, Food Safety Standards and Monitoring Assessment Office under National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People's Republic of China has published Notification No. 7 of year 2016 on 23 new foods concerning poly (12-hydroxystearic acid) stearate. The assessment authority reviewed and passed the safety assessment materials for those substances.

The Notification provides for the coverage, maximum limit, specific migration limit (SML) and maximum residue limit. The highlights are as follows:
1. Approve 12 substances including poly (12-hydroxystearic acid) stearate to be used as additives in food contact materials or articles;
2. Expand the coverage for 5 additives (including magnesium oxide) for food contact materials or articles and increase the dosage;
3. Approve 6 substances such as 2-propenenitrile, polymer with 1,1- dichloroethene to be used in resins of food contact materials or articles.

Notably, strict requirements are imposed on the following substances used in materials or articles that come into contact with food:

• 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic anhydride
• 1,3-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, polymer with azacyclotridecan-2-one and 4,4＇-methylenebis[2-methylcyclohexanamine]
• Polyacrylamide
• Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-tridecyl-ω-hydroxy-, phosphate

However, contact temperature and duration shall be controlled for the following substances used in materials or articles that come into contact with food:

• Magnesium oxide
• 2-Propenenitrile, polymer with 1,1- dichloroethene
• 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, polymer with 1,1- dichloroethene
• 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, polymer with 1,1- dichloroethene and 2-methyl-2- propenenitrile
• 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with ethenylbenzene

C&K Testing advises imported food contact materials should also meet hygienic standards and stipulations of China, otherwise the products will be destroyed or returned. It is advisable that businesses should arrange reasoned production and testing as per relevant requirements.