What is food grade certification? Why is it necessary for food packaging?
Food-grade certification is an official system that involves safety assessment and testing of food packaging materials to ensure they do not release harmful substances when in contact with food, and do not affect the flavor or safety of the food. For food manufacturers, selecting packaging materials that have passed food-grade certification is not only a compliance requirement but also a fundamental step in protecting consumer health and building brand trust.
In China, the compliance system for food contact materials and products is based onGB 4806 Series StandardsandGB 9685 StandardAs the core, it covers various food contact materials such as plastics, rubber, coatings, inks, etc. Any plastic packaging bags, composite films, containers, or other materials used for food packaging must comply with the migration limit requirements set by these standards. For export enterprises, they also need to meet additional food-grade certification requirements in the target market, such as the FDA certification in the United States, the EFSA/EU 10/2011 regulation in the EU, and the LFGB certification in Germany.
This article will provide a detailed breakdown of the process for obtaining food-grade certification, required documents, testing items, and key considerations, helping packaging procurement personnel and food enterprises to smoothly complete the certification.
Main Types of Food Grade Certification and Their Applicable Scenarios
China Food Grade Certification: GB 4806 Series Standards
GB 4806.1-2016 specifies the general safety requirements for food contact materials and articles, covering sensory requirements, migration limits, and labeling specifications. Specific standards apply to different materials: GB 4806.7-2016 applies to plastic materials and articles, GB 4806.10-2016 applies to coatings and painted layers, and GB 4806.14-2023 applies to inks and similar materials. When enterprises apply for domestic food-grade certification, they need to determine the applicable standard range based on the type of packaging material.
FDA Food Grade Certification
The FDA regulates food contact materials based on 21 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21). The core basis for FDA certification is Part 170-199 of 21 CFR, which outlines the permitted conditions and migration limits for various materials. The FDA manages food contact substances through two approaches: Food Contact Notification (FCN) and Food Additive Regulations. Typically, companies are required to provide a material composition list, migration test reports, and usage condition descriptions.
EU Food Grade Certification
The regulatory framework for food contact materials in the EU is based on the framework regulation EC 1935/2004 and the implementing regulation EU 10/2011 for plastics. EU 10/2011 specifies the list of substances allowed in plastic materials (positive list), migration limits for total and specific migration, and requirements for conformity statements (DoC). The testing requirements for EU food-grade certification are more stringent than those domestically, particularly for infant food contact materials, where migration limits are generally 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lower.
Full Process of Food Grade Certification Application
Step 1: Material Composition Review and Compliance Inspection
The first step in handling certification is to comprehensively review the composition information of the packaging materials, including the type of resin used in each layer of the film, the types and quantities of additives, the composition of adhesives, and the components of printing inks.It is recommended that enterprises establish a complete raw material database in advance.Record supplier information, CAS numbers, physical and chemical properties, and safety data for each batch of raw materials. This stage requires close collaboration with upstream raw material suppliers to obtain compliance declarations and test reports for each raw material, ensuring that all components are listed in the national permitted substances list.
Step 2: Select a testing institution and prepare the samples
To obtain food-grade certification, you should select a third-party testing institution with CMA and CNAS accreditation. Common domestic testing institutions for food contact materials include SGS, Intertek, and CMA Testing. Before submitting samples, ensure you have an adequate amount of packaging material samples. Typically, 3-5 square meters of film or 20-50 finished bags are required per material type, with the exact quantity depending on the testing items.Note: The sample should be consistent with the actual production product.Including the same formula, process, and specification parameters.
Step 3: Sample Submission and Migration Testing
The core testing item for food-grade certification is migration testing. Test personnel select simulated liquids based on the actual usage conditions of the material, such as 4% acetic acid to simulate acidic food, 10% or 50% ethanol to simulate alcoholic food, and olive oil to simulate oily food. Testing temperature options include room temperature, refrigeration, and high-temperature sterilization, while testing duration ranges from 10 minutes to 10 days. Key indicators in migration testing include the total migration limit (OML) of 10 mg/dm², and specific migration limits (SML) that vary from non-detectable to several tens of mg/kg depending on the substance type.
Step 4: Issue the Report and Certificate
After completing all test items, the testing institution will issue an official test report and certification certificate. The validity period of domestic food-grade certification reports is typically 1 to 3 years, depending on the frequency of standard updates and changes in the company’s products. Once the report is obtained, the company needs to prepare a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), which should include product name, material type, manufacturer information, basis of standards, test results, and a commitment to compliance.
Common Misconceptions and Precautions about Food Grade Certification
Misconception One: Test Reports Equal Certification Certificates
Many companies equate test reports with certification certificates, which is a common misunderstanding. A test report only proves that the tested samples passed the tests under specific conditions, while a certification certificate is a systematic compliance document. Purchasers typically require suppliers to provide both test reports and a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and some large brands also require annual audits.
Misconception Two: One-time certification is permanently valid
Food-grade certification is not a one-time process. First, national standards are continuously updated and revised, requiring companies to reassess compliance after standard updates. Second, changes in raw material suppliers, formula adjustments, or production process modifications may affect the food contact safety of the product, necessitating partial or full retesting.
Misconception Three: Food-grade certification focuses only on the plastic film itself
In actual production processes, the safety of food-contact materials depends not only on the film itself.Print ink, adhesives, and even the coverage area of printed patternsFactors affecting migration levels include the complete packaging structure, such as ink layers and adhesive layers, which must be considered during certification.
How to choose a reliable food-grade certification service provider
When selecting a certification service provider, it is recommended to comprehensively evaluate based on the following dimensions: whether the institution’s testing qualifications cover all standard items required by the target market; whether the laboratory’s testing capabilities and equipment meet the requirements for migration testing; whether the service response speed and report delivery cycle align with the company’s product launch plan; and the transparency of pricing and the quality of value-added services such as technical consultation and regulatory update notifications.
For first-time companies applying for food-grade certification, it is recommended to choose a strong, large third-party institution, even though the cost may be slightly higher. The testing process will be more standardized, and the reports will have higher international recognition. Experienced companies can select mid-sized professional institutions with better cost-effectiveness based on their specific needs.
How food packaging companies can establish a long-term compliance system
Food-grade certification should not be a one-time project but should be integrated into the company’s quality management system. It is recommended that food packaging enterprises establish the following long-term compliance mechanisms: regularly update raw material databases and track changes in the qualifications of upstream suppliers; develop an annual internal testing plan and conduct random sampling inspections on mass-produced products; assign dedicated personnel to monitor domestic and international regulations on food-contact materials, anticipating the impact of standard updates on business operations; maintain long-term cooperation with certification bodies to obtain the latest industry interpretations and advances in testing technology.
By continuously investing in compliance capability development, enterprises can not only meet regulatory requirements but also establish a differentiated competitive advantage in the market. An increasing number of well-known brands are setting food-grade certification as a mandatory entry requirement for suppliers, making a robust compliance system one of a company’s core competitive strengths.
If you are looking for a reliable supplier of food packaging materials, feel free to contact us.HuaShu PackagingWe have a complete food-grade certification system and extensive compliance experience, enabling us to provide you with safe, compliant, and high-quality food packaging solutions.Contact UsGet more product information and certification support.