China Solicits Comments on Food-Contact Substances

On April 21, 2021, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) requested comments on five food-contact substances, including three new resins, one food-contact material, and one expanded-use additive. The substances and specifications are shown below. 

New Food-Contact Materials and Articles

1. 2-Propen-1-aminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-2- propen-1-yl-, chloride (1:1), polymer with 2- propenamide, decarboxylated, hydrochlorides (CAS No. 913068-94-7) for use in paper and paperboard at a maximum use level of 0.5% (calculated on dry paper basis). It is subject to an SML of non-detectable (ND), while acrylamide applies to detection limit (DL) of 0.01 mg/kg. Paper and paperboard containing this substance may not contact infant foods or breast milk.

Food-Contact Materials and Articles with Usage Expanded

1. Paraffin Wax (CAS No. 8002-74-2) for use in rubber at a maximum use level of 3%. The use temperature for rubber materials and articles containing this substance may not exceed 40 °C and rubber materials and articles containing this substance can only be used to contact milk and milk-containing beverages but may not contact infant foods or breast milk. In addition, the content of Benzo(a)pyrene in this substance may not exceed 0.1 mg/kg.

New Resins

1. 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, polymer with 1,3- benzenedicarboxylic acid, 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and 1,3-propanediol, 2-methyl for use in coating and coating layers at a maximum use level of 80%. It is subject to SMLs of 7.5 mg/kg (as 1,4-phthalic acid), 5 mg/kg (as 1,3-phthalic acid), 5 mg/kg (2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol), 5 mg/kg (2-methyl-1,3-propanediol), and 6 mg/kg (trimethylolpropane). Coatings and coating layers containing this substance as raw materials can be used under T ≤ 130 °C and t <1h, can be stored at room temperature for a long period, and may not contact infant foods or breast milk.
2. Styrene polymer with ethyl acrylate, methacrylic acid and glycidyl methacrylate (CAS no. 56990-26-2) for use in coatings and coating layers at a maximum use level of 82.1% (calculated on the dry weight of film basis). It is subject to SMLs of 6 mg/kg (as acrylic acid), 6 mg/kg (as methacrylate), and 0.02 mg/kg (as glycidyl methacrylate). Coatings and coating layers containing this substance as raw materials can be used under T ≤ 130 °C and t <1h, can be stored at room temperature for a long period, and may not contact infant foods or breast milk. Note: Use QM of 0.02mg/6dm² as the limited value when glycidyl methacrylate react with food or food simulants.
3. 2-Propenoic acid, 2-methyl-, polymer with methyl 2-methyl-2-propenoate and 2-propenoic acid (CAS no. 39332-53-1) for use in coatings and coating layers at a maximum use level of 16.3% (calculated on the dry weight of film basis). It is subject to SMLs of 6 mg/kg (as acrylic acid) and 6 mg/kg (as methacrylate). Coatings and coating layers containing this substance as raw materials can be used under T ≤ 130 °C and t <1h, can be stored at room temperature for a long period, and may not contact infant foods or breast milk.

Comments are due by May 13, 2021.