FAQ

European Union Food Contact Materials (FCM) refer to any items that may come into direct or indirect contact with food, such as plastic containers, metal utensils, ceramic products, etc. According to the European Union Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, these materials must ensure that they do not migrate harmful substances into food, thereby safeguarding consumer health. Testing agencies will conduct a comprehensive compliance assessment of your products, including material composition review, migration limit value checks, and overall safety verification.

Why do manufacturers and sellers need to prioritize this test? The European Union market is strictly regulated, and non-compliant products may face the risk of being returned, fined, or banned from the market. For example, plastic products must comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, which sets strict limits on the migration of certain substances such as bisphenol A. By undergoing testing, you can identify potential issues early on and avoid disruptions in the production chain. The entire process usually takes 7 working days, and after completion, a credible report and a European Union Compliance Declaration (DoC) are provided to facilitate your export procedures.

As an e-commerce seller, you may be concerned about the impact of testing on your supply chain. We offer flexible services, such as expedited processing and online guidance, to help optimize the process. Compliance is not only an obligation but also a key to enhancing competitiveness. Many companies have seen a significant increase in sales of their products in the European Union after undergoing testing.

Huabiao（GIG）Testing has an experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment to provide you with a complete Amazon TIC certification solution. It has passed CMA/CNAS qualification certification, ensuring accurate and reliable test data, and its test reports have national/international credibility. It helps customers manage risks and meet your product market requirements, assisting your products in selling globally.

Introduction

Cutlery, such as knives and forks, directly contacts food, making material safety critical for consumer health. International food safety standards require rigorous testing to prevent harmful substance migration. This guide outlines the testing requirements for food contact materials in cutlery and the process to conduct such tests.

Testing Requirements for Cutlery Food Contact Materials

Testing ensures cutlery (e.g., stainless steel, plastic-handled, or coated) is safe under various conditions. Key components include:

1. Physical Performance Testing

• Abrasion Resistance:

• Uses Taber Abrasion Tester to simulate wear.

• Ensures coatings remain intact, preventing exposure of unsafe materials.

• Temperature Resistance:

• Tests at -20°C to 120°C to confirm structural stability.

• Verifies no cracking or substance release in hot/cold conditions.

• Edge Sharpness:

• Measures blade angle with laser goniometers.

• Ensures safety and functionality.

2. Chemical Migration Testing

• Overall Migration:

• Simulants (EU No 10/2011): 3% acetic acid (acidic), 10%–50% ethanol (alcoholic), olive oil (fatty).

• Conditions: 40°C for 10 days or 70°C for 2 hours.

• Limit: ≤10 mg/dm².

• Specific Migration:

• Heavy Metals (ICP-MS): Lead ≤0.01 mg/kg, Nickel ≤0.14 mg/kg.

• Formaldehyde (Spectrophotometry): ≤0.1 mg/kg.

• Primary Aromatic Amines (GC-MS): ≤0.01 mg/kg.

3. Residual Substance Analysis

• Solvent Residues: Headspace GC-MS for VOCs.

• Disinfectant Residues: Quantifies sodium hypochlorite.

4. Microbial Testing

• Total Bacterial Count: Per GB 4789.2 or ISO 4833-1.

• Mold/Yeast: Selective media cultivation.

• Pathogens: Screens for Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus.

Regulations

• EU: (EC) No 1935/2004, (EU) No 10/2011, (EC) No 2023/2006.

• Germany: LFGB Sections 30/31, DIN 51032.

• Standards: EN 1186, ISO 8442-2.

How to Conduct Food Contact Material Testing

Huabiao Testing offers a “5-Day Express Certification” service:

1. Day 1: Receive 2–3 samples; confirm testing scope.

2. Days 2–3: Conduct physical, chemical, and microbial tests.

3. Day 4: Validate results; retest anomalies.

4. Day 5: Issue accredited report.

Why Choose Huabiao（GIG） Testing?

Huabiao（GIG） Testing provides comprehensive testing solutions with an experienced team and advanced equipment. Accredited with CMA/CNAS, our reliable data and internationally recognized reports help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and succeed globally.