Food Contact Materials (FCM)

Food contact materials and articles (FCM) are any materials or articles made of plastic, paper, cardboard or other materials that come into contact with hot or cold food and liquids. The term includes food packaging and kitchen utensils and tableware, such as plates, cups, cutlery, pots, as well as everyday articles used to prepare and serve food.

European Union law requires that all food contact materials are safe and do not affect food safety, as well as do not alter the taste or odor of food. In the case of plastics, all substances used in the production of the final product must be evaluated for their safety and approved for use in plastic FCMs marketed in the EU. These requirements are contained in Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004.

According to the provisions of the aforementioned regulation, FCMs are to be manufactured in accordance with good manufacturing practices. These procedures are described in Regulation (EC) No. 2023/2006, which requires manufacturers of materials and articles intended to come into contact with food to:

• proper organization of the plant and having staff knowledge of the critical stages of production;
• implementation of a documented quality assurance and quality control system at the plant;
• selection of appropriate starting materials for the production process, keeping in mind the safety and inertness of the final products.

In addition, FCM composition information must be communicated in the supply chain through the Declaration of Conformity (DoC). These are intended to ensure traceability and transparency throughout the supply chain, as well as to confirm the safety of food contact materials and products.

Except for general regulations, some FCMs – i.e., ceramic materials, regenerated cellulose film, plastics, and active and smart materials – are covered by more specific regulations.