Food Contact Material Testing

Services / Laboratory Testing

Food Contact Material Testing

Determine migration and composition testing from material, food type, temperature, duration and repeated-use conditions.

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Laboratory Testing

When it fits

For cookware, tableware, food packaging, drink containers, appliance food-contact parts and coatings.

Food Contact Material Testing

Determine migration and composition testing from material, food type, temperature, duration and repeated-use conditions.

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CONTROL POINTS

Core checks

Product risks and target-market requirements are translated into four verifiable control points.

Inspection objectiveFood Contact Material Testing

Product risks and target-market requirements are translated into four verifiable control points.

01

Materials, colours, coatings and contact surfaces

02

Food simulants, contact conditions and repeated use

03

Overall/specific migration or composition items

04

Labels, use limitations and compliance documents

REFERENCE FRAMEWORK

Typical references

The applicable standard, regulation edition and route are confirmed against the product, target market and technical review at project start.

EU framework and material-specific requirements where applicable
US FDA, German LFGB or other market requirements
Actual use conditions and client specification

STANDARDS KNOWLEDGE BASE

Standards and certification knowledge

Open a standard for its definition, scope, core requirements, typical route and common mistakes. Final applicability, edition and conformity route are confirmed against the product and target market.

EU FCMWhat are EU food-contact rules?Open detailed explanation

What it is

EU food-contact materials are governed by the framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004: under intended use, materials must not transfer constituents at harmful levels or unacceptably alter food. GMP applies broadly, with specific rules for materials such as plastics.

Where it applies

Applies to packaging, cookware, tableware, drink containers, processing-equipment parts, appliance contact parts, coatings and inks. Conditions depend on material, food type, temperature, time and repeated use.

Core requirements

  • Framework, GMP and material-specific legislation work together
  • Plastics commonly involve overall/specific migration, authorised substances and a declaration of compliance
  • Food simulants, time and temperature should represent the most severe foreseeable use

Typical route

  1. 01

    Confirm material layers and intended food-contact conditions

  2. 02

    Identify EU and member-state additions

  3. 03

    Define migration, composition and sensory tests

  4. 04

    Review declarations, supporting documents and traceability

Common mistakes

  • One cold-water test cannot represent hot, fatty, acidic or long-term use
  • A passing report does not replace declarations and supply-chain traceability
US FDA FCSWhat is US FDA food-contact compliance?Open detailed explanation

What it is

US food-contact compliance first confirms that every component has a lawful basis for its intended use, such as an applicable 21 CFR provision, effective FCN, GRAS status, prior sanction or other route. Testing can support evidence but does not create an authorisation.

Where it applies

Applies to packaging, containers, kitchenware and processing contact parts in the US. Food type, temperature, time, repeated use and manufacturer-specific authorisations can affect the conclusion.

Core requirements

  • Review formulation and regulatory status of each component first
  • An effective FCN can be specific to a manufacturer, substance and conditions of use
  • Migration or extraction tests must match intended conditions and the compliance basis

Typical route

  1. 01

    Collect full material/formulation and supplier compliance letters

  2. 02

    Define food types and time/temperature

  3. 03

    Check 21 CFR, FCN or other authorisation scope

  4. 04

    Add necessary tests and issue a documented assessment

Common mistakes

  • “FDA test passed” does not replace review of the lawful basis for formulation components
  • The same substance can have different status under different food types or temperatures
LFGB / BfRWhat are LFGB/BfR requirements?Open detailed explanation

What it is

LFGB is the German Food and Feed Code. Food-contact products are assessed together with EU framework rules, German provisions and relevant BfR recommendations. The commercial phrase “LFGB certification” usually means testing or an assessment, not one government certificate.

Where it applies

Common for silicone, plastics, rubber, metals, ceramics, coatings and kitchenware for Germany; scope can include migration, volatile matter, peroxide value, sensory and material-specific tests.

Core requirements

  • Material identity and intended use determine applicable provisions
  • Sensory testing addresses unacceptable effects on food odour and taste
  • BfR recommendations are important technical references but must be read with current law

Typical route

  1. 01

    Confirm material, colour and use conditions

  2. 02

    Identify EU and German requirements

  3. 03

    Define migration, sensory and material tests

  4. 04

    Review reports, declarations and labels

Common mistakes

  • Do not treat LFGB as one fixed test package for every material
  • A result may not represent use if simulants and conditions do not match the product

CONTROLLED WORKFLOW

How the service works

01

Confirm product, use and target market

02

Identify materials and applicable requirements

03

Define test plan and sample quantity

04

Receive samples, test and communicate exceptions

05

Review data and issue the report

WHAT TO PREPARE

What you should prepare

Product name, model and use
BOM or material list
Target countries
Existing reports or certificates
Labels, manuals and packaging

WHAT YOU RECEIVE

Deliverables

Confirmed scope and document gaps
Structured check data and step-bound photos
Risks and points requiring human confirmation
Reviewed formal report or technical deliverable

AI ASSISTED, HUMAN CONTROLLED

AI support and human accountability

AI prepares a test-scope draft from product, market and material inputs. Any regulatory uncertainty is escalated for technical review.

Boundary

AI does not change field facts, replace applicability judgement or approve the final report.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Can I request service with incomplete information?

Yes. Share the product, market, date and risks you know. The service manager will identify gaps; unconfirmed information is never converted into a field fact.

Does AI issue the final conclusion?

No. AI organises files, finds contradictions and flags missing evidence. Relevant professionals own field facts and final technical decisions.

When will the plan be confirmed?

Normally within one business day after sufficient information is available. Testing and certification timing depends on the exact project.

Tell us the product and target market. The right workflow will take it from there.

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