Food Contact Materials Testing

WHAT IS FOOD CONTACT MATERIALS TESTING?

Food packaging and food contact materials are an important element in the overall effort to provide consumers worldwide with safe and nutritious food. However, packaging manufacturers must be prepared to deal with a complex global regulatory landscape, in which individual jurisdictions have adopted different regulatory frameworks for the review and approval of food packaging and food contact materials. The approval process can be further complicated by customer procurement requirements based on voluntary standards promulgated by industry and trade groups, as well as by the specific substances used in packaging materials. 

WHY IS FOOD CONTACT MATERIALS TESTING IMPORTANT?

Food packaging and food contact materials are subject to regulations in most major markets around the world, including the U.S., the European Union (EU), China and Japan, and the so-called Mercosur (Mercado Comun del Sur) countries in South America. As a result, food contact material testing is an essential requirement to gain legal access to important consumer markets. In addition, major global retailers may mandate certain additional testing for food packaging and contact materials as part of their procurement requirements, further validating the importance of food contact material testing.

HOW CAN TÜV SÜD HELPS YOU?

Through our comprehensive analysis, certification, auditing and inspection services, TÜV SÜD can assist manufacturers and distributors in navigating and complying with food packaging and food contact materials regulations and standards worldwide. TÜV SÜD is an accredited certification body for the BSR/IoP Global Standard for Packaging and Packaging Materials, as well as most other internationally recognised food safety certification schemes, codes and standards. TÜV SÜD food safety professionals are also experienced in evaluating and verifying preventative control plans for consistency with hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) principles. These broad capabilities in food safety make TÜV SÜD an effective single source for assistance with all food safety certification and compliance issues, and a preferred partner to the food industry.

TÜV SÜD offers testing services for a wide range of food packaging products and contact materials, such as food contact appliances, food containers, kitchenware and utensils, and food packaging. Specific types of testing include:

• Chemical testing - Including testing for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), extractable heavy metals, phthalates, primary aromatic amies, PAHs and PCPs. Chemical testing services also include metal composition analysis, overall and specific chemical migration properties, and formaldehyde release rates.
• Physical testing - Including testing for drop impact resistance, final burst pressure, thermal stability and sealing performance, as well as material dimension (diameter/thickness) and top load. 
• Microbiological testing - Testing for e-coli, salmonella, staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus hemolyticus, shigella and mould and yeast.

In addition to our testing services, TÜV SÜD can certify food contact materials to industry standards approved by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI), such as those of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and FSSC 22000. We can also provide mandatory and voluntary inspection and auditing services to assure compliance with applicable regulations or procurement requirements. 

BENEFITS AT A GLANCE

• Save time and money - by identifying compliance considerations for food packaging products and contact materials at the earliest possible stages.
• Minimise risks - by avoiding supply chain problems that can result in packaging product and material recalls and reputational harm.
• Gain a competitive edge - by delivering food packaging products and contact materials of consistent quality and safety, without compromising time to market.
• Benefit from complete solutions - by utilising our full range of testing, certification and auditing services for food packing products and contact materials.
• Achieve global support - by leveraging TÜV SÜD’s worldwide expertise in regulations and requirements, regardless of where your products are manufactured or sold.