FAQ

Why is customs clearance testing so important?

The core purpose of food contact material (FCM) customs clearance testing is to assess whether potential harmful substances (such as heavy metals, phthalates, bisphenol A) in the materials can migrate into food and harm human health. Major markets around the world are increasingly strict in their regulation of FCM: Chinese Market: According to China's GB 4806 series national standards (such as GB 4806.1 General Safety Requirements, GB 4806.7 Plastics Materials) and GB 9685-2016 Additive Use Standards, all products sold must comply with migration limit requirements. Test items include Overall Migration Level (OML ≤10 mg/dm²) and Specific Migration Level (SML, such as lead ≤1 mg/kg). During customs clearance, the customs will randomly inspect reports, and non-compliant products will be prohibited from circulation.

European Union Market: Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and Framework Regulation require materials to be non-toxic and harmless, with specific standards such as the 10/2011 regulation on bisphenol A prohibitions. Customs clearance requires a Compliance Declaration (DoC) and test report, and the European Union Customs (RAPEX system) has a zero tolerance policy for non-compliant products.

American Market: FDA's 21 CFR series (such as 177.1520 polyethylene, 175.300 coatings) are mandatory standards, with testing focusing on polymer additives and heavy metal migration. When importing, the CBP (Customs and Border Protection) requires a Letter of Guarantee or third-party report; non-compliance may lead to an import ban.

Other Markets: Japan's Food Sanitation Law, Australia's FSANZ standards, Canada's CCPSA, etc., also emphasize migration testing and label compliance. Common risks of customs clearance failure include: exceeding harmful substance limits (such as phthalates exceeding the EU's 0.01 mg/kg limit), missing labels (such as not marked 'for food contact'), or invalid reports. These issues can lead to delays of 1-3 months and economic losses of hundreds of thousands of yuan. Our customs clearance testing service advantages

As a CNAS-certified third-party testing organization, we provide one-stop FCM customs clearance testing solutions, covering the entire process from sample pre-inspection to report issuance.

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.

In modern catering and household life, food contact materials, as utensils that come into direct contact with food, have material safety that directly impacts consumer health. According to international food safety standards, all materials that may come into contact with food must undergo rigorous testing to ensure they do not migrate harmful substances into food. Professional testing can evaluate the chemical stability of utensils like knives and forks under various usage conditions (e.g., high temperatures, acidic environments), preventing hazardous components such as heavy metals and plasticizers from leaching into food. Today, Huabiao Testing will share insights on handling various FCM food contact materials, such as FDA and LFGB.

FDA Certification—The Gateway to the U.S. Market
FDA certification is a fundamental requirement for entering the U.S. market. The U.S. FDA imposes strict regulations on food contact materials, mandating that all such materials must pass relevant safety tests before entering the market. Ningbo Huabiao Testing Agency boasts a professional FDA certification team capable of providing comprehensive testing services for materials including plastics, metals, glass, ceramics, paper, and cardboard, among others. With our services, your products can smoothly enter the U.S. market, meeting the high safety standards expected by American consumers.

LFGB Certification—The Passport to the German and EU Markets
LFGB certification, short for the German Food and Feed Code, stipulates that materials in contact with food must comply with specific safety standards. LFGB certification is not only applicable to the German market but is also crucial for entering the broader EU market. Ningbo Huabiao Testing Agency has an in-depth understanding of LFGB regulations and extensive operational experience, offering enterprises a full range of testing services, including chemical composition analysis, sensory testing, and microbiological testing. Through our professional certification, your products will gain the trust and recognition of the German and EU markets.

Ningbo Huabiao Testing Agency—Your Professional Partner
As a professional third-party testing agency, Ningbo Huabiao Testing Agency not only possesses internationally accredited laboratories and advanced testing equipment but also has a team of experienced experts. We are committed to providing one-stop testing and certification services to ensure your products comply with international standards while meeting the regulatory requirements of different countries and regions.

Our service advantages include:

• One-Stop Service: From sample testing to report issuance, we offer comprehensive testing and certification services, simplifying your certification process.

• Professional Team: Our expert team has a deep understanding of international standards such as FDA and LFGB, enabling us to provide professional consultation and solutions.

• Rapid Response: We promise quick responses to client needs, shortening certification cycles to help your products enter target markets as soon as possible.

• International Recognition: Our test reports and certification results are recognized in multiple countries and regions worldwide, providing strong support for your products to access global markets.

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.

In modern catering and household settings, food contact materials, as items that directly interact with food, have a significant impact on consumer health due to their material safety. According to international food safety standards, all materials that may come into contact with food must undergo rigorous testing to ensure that no harmful substances migrate into the food. Professional testing evaluates the chemical stability of items like cutlery under various conditions (e.g., high temperatures, acidic environments) to prevent the infiltration of hazardous components such as heavy metals or plasticizers into food.Today, Huabiao Testing shares insights on how to handle FCM (Food Contact Material) testing for wine corks.

Background and Importance of FCM Testing for Wine Corks

Wine corks, used to seal various types of wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, are food contact materials whose safety directly affects wine quality and consumer health. Corks are typically made from natural cork, synthetic materials, or composite materials, which may contain migratory substances such as volatile organic compounds, plasticizers, azo dyes, or heavy metals. If these substances migrate beyond permissible limits, they may pose potential health risks. Conducting FCM testing to verify compliance with relevant regulatory standards is critical for businesses to operate in accordance with regulations.

Key Testing Items for Wine Corks

In addition to composition analysis, FCM testing for wine corks includes the following key testing items:

Overall Migration Testing: This evaluates the total amount of substances migrating from the cork material under specific solvent conditions, typically using a water-ethanol mixture to simulate alcoholic environments. Through immersion testing, the total migration is measured to ensure it is below the EU’s limit of 10 mg/dm².

Specific Migration Testing: This targets specific hazardous substances such as plasticizers, heavy metals, azo dyes, monomers, and additives, ensuring their migration levels comply with standards such as GB, FDA, and LFGB.

Physical Performance Testing: This includes assessing moisture content, density, air permeability, and elasticity to verify the physical stability and sealing performance of the cork in actual use, preventing wine oxidation or leakage due to material degradation.

Sensory Evaluation: Professional evaluators conduct visual, olfactory, and taste tests to ensure that the cork or its migratory substances do not affect the original flavor of the wine.

Alcohol Resistance and Microbial Testing: This verifies the cork material’s resistance to alcohol corrosion and its antibacterial properties, ensuring no harmful microbial growth occurs during long-term storage.

GIG Testing: Your Trusted Partner for REACH Testing

GIG Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, provides comprehensive FCM testing solutions for food contact materials. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our testing data is accurate and reliable, and our reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products can be successfully sold globally.