China Releases Guideline on Identification of Food Contact Materials Used in Household Appliances

On September 26, 2017, China National Food Industry Association issued a guideline detailing requirements of label identification for food contact materials (FCM) used in household appliances. The identification of FCM must comply with relevant national standards, and the requirements are more flexible due to the characteristics of household appliance.

Content of the identification

Since various food contact materials and components are applied in household appliances, it is hard and unnecessary to indicate all the FCMs on each part. Therefore, enterprises can simplify the items and refer to the template (attached in the guideline). If the label is too small to place all the identification information on it, the identification content could be indicated in product specification, or attached document.

Logo for food contact materials and articles

Based on the requirements in GB 4806.1-2016, this guideline suggests that enterprises should indicate words on products like “food contact use”, “food package use”, or print the logo (see the picture below) to clarify that this product is available.

Logo indicating food contact use

Warnings

Warnings should be included in FCM label if required, such as heating condition, range of pH value.

Others 

Identification template is applicable to household appliances of the same series, but enterprises are suggested to inform consumers that there might be slight differences among different types of products, and the data of actual products should be referred to.

Interpretation of Guideline on Identification of Food Contact Materials Used in Household Appliances in China is ready on ChemLinked, just feel free to download it!