Food contact materials

Food contact materials (FCMs) are materials and articles that come into contact with food during its production, processing, storage, preparation or serving

A stack of salads in boxes ready to be sold. The boxes are cardboard with a plastic lid.

Food contact materials (FCMs) are materials and articles that come into contact with food during its production, processing, storage, preparation or serving. Examples of FCMs include:

containers for the transportation of food
packaging materials
kitchenware
tableware

There are four categories of FCMs which are subject to specific regulations:

plastic monomers and additives
active/intelligent materials (‘AIMs’)
recycled plastic processes
regenerated cellulose film (RCF)

FCM authorisations

Regulated FCMs need to be authorised before they can be used and placed on the market in Great Britain (GB). All FCMs must comply with the requirements of Regulation (EC) 1935/2004, which sets out the general framework. The following legislation outlines the authorisation requirements for these substances:

for plastic monomers and additives in Regulation (EU) 10/2011
for active/intelligent materials in Regulation (EC) 450/2009
for recycled plastic processes in Regulation (EC) 282/2008
for regenerated cellulose film in The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Scotland) Regulations 2012 The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (England) Regulations 2012, and The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Wales) Regulations 2012.

FSS is required to maintain lists of authorised FCMs as determined by the appropriate authority (ministers) in Scotland, England and Wales.

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