China Solicits Comments on Food-Contact Substances

China's National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) solicited comments on five food-contact substances on October 15, 2019. The substances and specifications are listed below.

• Glass fiber (CAS no. 65997-17-3) for use in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) plastic at a maximum use level of 25 %. The use temperature for products added with PTFE may not exceed 50℃ and the contact time may not exceed 30 minutes. In addition, it may not be used on products that contact infant formula and breast milk.
• Siloxanes and silicones, di-me, me hydrogen, reaction products with vinyl group terminated di-me siloxanes (CAS no. 156065-02-0) for use in paper and paperboard at a maximum use level of 0.0022 % (calculated as paper pulp).
• Polymer of 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propandiol, ethylene glycol, isophthalic acid, sebacic acid，terephthalic acid and trimellitic anhydride for use in coatings and coating layers at a maximum use level of 1.8 %. Single migration limits (SML) are: 0.05 mg/kg for 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol, 30 mg/kg for Ethylene glycol, 5 mg/kg for 1,3-phthalic acid, 7.5 mg/kg 1,4-phthalic acid, and 5 mg/kg for trimellitic acid. Additional restrictions are these substances may not contact food with ethanol above 8 % and the use temperature may not exceed 121℃.
• Polymer of ethylene glycol, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, dimethyl ester and adipic acid (CAS no. 82076-71-9) for use in coatings and coating layers at a maximum use level of 30% (calculated as coating formula). SMLs are: 30 mg/kg for ethylene glycol, 5 mg.kg for 1,3-phthalic acid, and 7.5 mg/kg for 1,4-phthalic acid. Additional restrictions are these substances may not contact food with ethanol above 8 % and the use temperature may not exceed 121℃.
• 1,3-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, polymer with 1,4-butanediol, terephthalic acid, dimethyl ester and hexanedioic acid (CAS no. 82076-69-5) for use in coatings and coating layers at a maximum use level of 80 % (calculated as file dry weight). SMLs are: 5 mg/kg for 1,3-phthalic acid, 7.5 mg/kg for 1,4-phthalic acid, and 5 mg/kg for 1,4-butanediol. Other restrictions are: the use temperature for food with this substance as raw material when contacting protein beverages may not exceed 121℃ and the use temperature when contacting with other foods may not exceed 130℃.

The comment period on these substances closed on November 12, 2019. More information can be found here (in Chinese).