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Food contact materials, analysis and consulting

WESSLING stands for the conformity of food contact materials: our specialists use the latest laboratory technology and competent expert services to ensure that your food contact products are safe for consumers.

Materials that come into contact with food must not negatively affect the quality of the food - in either chemical, physical or sensory terms. At the same time, the health of consumers must not be placed at risk.

Analysis and consulting for food contact materials: services in detail

Analysis and consulting for food contact materials: services in detail

Plastic

Food contact materials made of plastic

Plastics come into contact with food in various ways, e.g. in the form of drinks bottles, film packaging, kitchen utensils or during production in the form of seals and conveyor belts.

Food contact materials made of plastic can be drinks bottles.
Plastics can be manufactured from diverse materials such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polystyrene (PS).

Analysis and consulting - our range of services:

  • Conformity testing of plastics with food contact (Plastic Implementation Measurement (PIM)) as per Regulation (EU) no. 10/2011
  • Global migration, specific migration (SML – Specific Migration Limit) as per Annexes I and II of Regulation (EU) no. 10/2011 and analysis of residual monomer contents
  • Sensory testing (DIN 10955)
  • GC-MS screening of migration to ethanol or Tenax for NIAS
  • Testing according to German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) requirements
  • Creation of test plans
  • Checking supporting documents
  • Support in creating the declaration of conformity
  • Further harmful substances such as PAHs, phthalates, heavy metals
  • Plastics identification (IR)

We are also happy to support you with respect to any special questions concerning the individual materials:

  • Analysis of the migration of melamine and formaldehyde from food contact items made of melamine formaldehyde resins
  • Analysis of the migration of primary aromatic amines in polyamide plastics, e.g. spatulas
  • Analysis of isocyanates in polyurethanes
  • Analysis of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE)

Analysis and consulting for food contact materials: services in detail

Paper

Food contact materials made of paper

Food contact materials made of paper and cardboard can be used as packaging, coffee filters, bakery bags or serviettes, for example.

Food contact materials made of paper. Here, a paper bag used for vegetables
It is also crucial whether the paper is coated, printed or glued. It must also be determined whether the paper consists of recycled fibres, fresh fibres or a mixture of both. A qualified analysis and assessment must give consideration to these diverse types and possible uses. The basis of our laboratory analysis and consulting is the BfR Recommendations XXXVI, also the EuPIA Guideline if printing is involved, national specifications such as the Swiss Printing Ink Regulation as well as GMP Regulation (EC) no. 2023/2006.

Analysis and consulting - our range of services:

  • Testing according to BfR Recommendations XXXVI and XXXVI/1.–3., particularly for harmful substances such as formaldehyde, bisphenol A and phthalates
  • Testing of coated, printed and glued paper and cardboard products
  • Primary aromatic amines (paA) by means of photometry and LC-MS/MS
  • NIAS screening
  • Testing for chloropropanols (3-MCPD and DCP) in the aqueous extract
  • Sensory testing
  • GC-MS screening after migration to Tenax
  • Mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH/MOAH) by means of LC-GC-FID coupling
  • Simulation set-off
  • Creation and performance of the analysis plan for the conformity test
  • If necessary, contacting suppliers to obtain the documents required for conformity testing

Analysis and consulting for food contact materials: services in detail

Metal

Food contact materials made of metal

Metal items that come into direct contact with food include drinks cans, saucepans and vacuum flasks as well as screws and nuts.

Drinks cans are food contact materials made of metal
Food contact products made of metal often have epoxy resin coatings to protect against corrosion. Typical examples include lids of jars containing preserved vegetables or fruit. Our testing and consulting are based on the guideline "Metals and alloys used in food contact materials and articles" published by the EDQM (European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Health Care). It regulates the limit values for the migration of 21 metals into the test simulants citric acid 0.5% and test water after the first to third contact.

Analysis and consulting - our range of services:

  • Testing and confirmation of the conformity of 21 metals as per the guideline "Metals and alloys used in food contact materials and articles"
  • Harmful substances: lead and cadmium migration
  • Sensory testing
  • X-ray fluorescence analysis for determining metal
  • Risk-based SVHC screening

Our services in the field of epoxy resin coatings:

  • Migration analysis of BADGE/NOGE/BFDGE and bisphenol A as well as epichlorohydrin for metal food contact products coated with epoxy resin

Analysis and consulting for food contact materials: services in detail

Glass, ceramics, enamel

Food contact materials made of glass/ceramics/enamel

Complex legal regulations apply to items made of glass, ceramic or enamel that come into contact with food, e.g. glasses, cups or bowls.

Jam jars are food contact materials made of glass
Directive 84/500/EEC regulates food contact materials made of ceramic throughout the EU, including the limit values for cadmium and lead. Further specifications for glass and the limit values adopted from the EU Directive are set down in DIN 51032. Limit values in this product group are dependent on their characteristics, i.e. fillable or flat, for instance. The migration of lead and cadmium is regulated also for the brim of cups and glasses. Colouring metal compounds also play a role in the assessment. In addition to the limit values for the migration of lead and cadmium in glass and ceramic, enamelled glass and ceramic products were also regulated in DIN 51032. Our experts compile the scope of testing specified for your product on the basis of these regulations:

Analysis and consulting - our range of services:

  • Consulting for compiling the tests for each article
  • Metal migration: lead and cadmium
  • Sensory testing
  • Risk-based SVHC screening

Analysis and consulting for food contact materials: services in detail

Wood

Food contact materials made of wood

Many different articles that come into contact with food are made of wood – cooking spoons, chopping boards or bread boxes, for example.

Chopping boards are food contact materials made of wood
It may be necessary to treat them with wood treatment products during production, and formaldehyde output can also occur. Analysis based on the applicable legal regulations is necessary. The sensory characteristics also play an important role in food contact materials made of wood.

Our range of services:

  • Consulting on the individual test scope
  • Formaldehyde
  • Wood preservatives
  • Chlorophenols (incl. PCP)
  • Sensory testing
  • Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)
  • Testing of varnished products

Analysis and consulting for food contact materials: services in detail

Dishwasher resistance testing

Dishwasher resistance testing after 125 rinsing cycles

The claim “dishwasher safe” gives consumers important information about the correct cleaning method for household items such as tableware, drinking glasses, sandwich tins or even plastic drinking bottles. It is a mark of the German Institute for Standardisation (DIN). It states that the products labelled with it can go through a certain number of rinses without showing any recognisable damage to their quality.

Our experts for the safety of food contact materials provide testing to producers of tableware, glasses and reusable plastic articles, according to the standards DIN EN 12875-1 mod. (2005-08), and DIN EN 12875-2 (2002-03). For this purpose, our laboratories have their own test dishwasher in which 125 rinsing cycles are carried out automatically.

According to DIN standards, the number of rinsing cycles must be between 125 and 1000. For this purpose, our laboratories have their own test dishwasher in which 125 rinsing cycles are carried out automatically. Our experts for the safety of food contact materials provide testing to producers of tableware, glasses and reusable plastic articles, according to the standards DIN EN 12875-1 mod. (2005-08), and DIN EN 12875-2 (2002-03). Special attention is paid to the durability of décors because their colour can fade when they are washed in the dishwasher, and the décor can even crack. The results are recorded by our consumer product experts in the form of photo documentation (before/after pictures).

Regulations and specifications

The EU's framework regulation, Regulation (EC) 1935/2004, regulates the requirements for all food contact materials. There are also further European regulations, directives, national legislation or recommendations which may differ extensively depending on the characteristics of the product.

The WESSLING experts keep an eye on the specifications: benefit from reliable laboratory analysis in combination with tailored expert services. Our specialists are certified for analysing official cross checks according to Section 43 of the German Food and Feed Code (LFGB).

Your contact for analysis and consulting for food contact materials

„Reliable, cost-effective, neutral and independent – our analysis and consulting services form the basis for high-quality food contact materials that succeed on the market.“

Food contact products

Several plastic containers prior to conformity testing
Several cans made of metal
Cardboard box with pizza
Wooden spoons
Ceramic products on the shelf
Several plastic containers prior to conformity testing
Food contact products made of plastic:

Whether during storage and transport or in production, plastics come into contact with food in a variety of ways.

Several cans made of metal
Food contact products made of metal:

Food contact materials made of metal have to meet stringent requirements due to the guideline "Metals and alloys in food contact materials and articles".

Cardboard box with pizza
Food contact products made of paper:

The precise composition is crucial when assessing materials made of paper. The printing that is usually additionally applied is subject to diverse further regulations.

Wooden spoons
Food contact products made of wood:

Although wood is a natural material, it can also transfer undesired substances to food, which can then affect it negatively. WESSLING tests and evaluates treated and untreated wooden products for you.

Ceramic products on the shelf
Food contact products made of glass/ceramic/enamel:

Products made of glass, ceramic or enamel can come into contact with food in the form of either storage containers or crockery. The legal specifications are diverse.

Compostable paper packaging

WESSLING GreenLab

Compostability and biodegradability of products

As one of the first laboratories in France  at all WESSLING France has its own laboratory that deal exclusively with the compostability and biodegradability of products. Here, analysis and documentation is carried out completely digitally, using only the most modern instruments. Our experts test food packaging made of paper, with or without plastic or paraffin paper windows. Other product groups such as cutlery, bags or mulch film will follow shortly.

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Performing food analysis in the laboratory: laboratory technicians during the examination for residues and contaminants

Food analysis

Food analysis at WESSLING

Safety and quality for consumers: Our experts offer the entire range of food analyses such as chemical-physical analyses, sensory tests, molecular biological and microbiological analyses.

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Petri dish for microbiological food analysis

Food hygiene

Reliable checks and qualified training courses

The experts at WESSLING record the hygiene status of your production in all details and train your management and employee in accordance with the food hygiene regulations.

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WESSLING Seal

The WESSLING test seal

Proof of above-average safety and quality standards

The WESSLING seal is a quality and test seal proving that products have been tested for quality, safety and non-toxicity, making it easier for consumers to decide on a product.

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WESSLING GreenLab 1 / 4

Latest news concerning food contact materials

All news

Testing dishwasher resistance after 125 rinsing cycles

Our experts for food contact materials offer manufacturers of tableware, glasses and reusable articles made of plastic the testing of their products according to the standards DIN EN 12875-1 mod. (2005-08) and DIN EN 12875-2 (2002-03).

Find out more

Analysis of food packaging for coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2)

Studies have shown that the corona virus can survive for several days on steel and glass at low temperatures. It is therefore urgently necessary to review the effectiveness of hygiene measures in companies, especially if they are proceeding food.

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