Chinese New Food Contact Material Standard System and the Impact on Industry

Due to loose supervision, a confusing regulatory framework and the limited safety awareness of manufacturers and consumers, the Food Contact Material (FCM) regulatory system has been highlighted as a priority food safety regulatory target and thus earmarked for reform. The EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASSF) system reported that in the last 5 years more than 80% of noncompliant FCM products came from China. Food packaging safety was also a key regulatory target in China’s new Food Safety. Chinese authorities have established a plan to streamline the current food contact material regulation system.