Food contact materials

Food contact materials are materials and articles that come into direct or indirect contact with food, or that are intended or can be expected to come into contact with food. They include food packaging, disposable dishes, kitchen utensils, coffee makers and kettles, food industry appliances and disposable gloves. Substances and supplies used to manufacture contact materials, including printing inks, varnishes and adhesives, are also contact materials. Where applicable, contact materials are also subject to the Food Act 297/2021.

Notification of operation and starting a company

If the company manufacturers contact materials, materials and supplies used in the manufacture of contact materials and articles, or a wholesaler, importer or exporter of contact materials, a notification of the operation must be submitted to the Food Control Unit of the City of Tampere.

The notification should be submitted digitally using ilppa, the e-service of the environmental health services. If you cannot use ilppa, submit your notification using the form below and send or bring it to the Food Control Unit.

Control visits to a contact material sector company

The main focus of control visits to contact material sector sites is on inspecting the operators’ GMP quality management systems and their effectiveness.

The inspections focus on contact materials'

• traceability
• composition and composition management
• tests performed (including migration tests)
• handling methods and processes
• management of hygiene relating to facilities and equipment
• documentation relating to contact materials (incl. declarations of conformity)

An inspection report is always drawn up on an inspection and sent to the contact material sector operator. Control is planned with a risk-based approach. Planned control visits are subject to a charge based on rates approved by the City Council.

Instructions for using disposable gloves and other contact materials

Disposable gloves made from ordinary vinyl (PVC) are not suitable for handling fatty foods

Disposable gloves suitable for fatty foods are made of nitrile or phthalate-free vinyl. However, you must check with the glove manufacturer or on the company’s website that they are suitable for fatty foods. Phthalate, which is used as a plasticiser in the manufacture of plastics, is soluble in fatty foods. As a general rule, nitrile gloves that have a glass and fork symbol are suitable for all foods. In addition to this symbol, vinyl gloves must additionally have a mention of being suitable for fatty foods. Fatty foods include cheeses, sliced meat and other meat products, whereas such produce as iceberg lettuce, tomato and carrots do not contain fat. 

Reusing food packaging

As a rule, food packaging should not be reused for storing food. Packaging is basically only intended for single use and exclusively for certain types of foods. The packaging has not necessarily been tested for reuse, which is why there is no certainty about its safety in repeated use.

Cling film

When using cling films, you must make sure that they are also suitable for fatty foods. You can usually find this information on the manufacturer's website.

Aluminium containers and foils

Aluminium materials, including aluminium pots or foils, should not be used for acidic foods. You should not use steel utensils with aluminium containers, and aluminium foil should not be used to protect food stored in a steel container. An electro-chemical element forms between the aluminium foil and steel container, which causes corrosion. As a result, the aluminium dissolves into the food and holes develop in the foil.

Legislation on contact materials and contact material operators

The legislation on contact materials creates a framework for the operations of contact material sector companies. EU Framework Regulation No 1935/2004 sets general requirements for the safety, labelling and traceability of contact materials. Under this regulation, contact materials and articles must come with a written declaration stating that they comply with the applicable rules.

Regulation no 2023/2006 on good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food (GMP Regulation).

All manufacturers, processors and distributors of materials that come into contact with foods must have a quality management system compliant with the GMP Regulation. The quality management system must cover issues that are essential for the conformity and safety of the finished material or article. This system corresponds to the own-check obligation imposed on the operator in the Food Act.

Legislation and guidelines on specific materials

Only authorised substances listed in the Annex to Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 in compliance with the conditions set for them may be used in the manufacture of plastics suitable as food contact materials, as well as substances on the so-called provisional list under evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The manufacturer and other operators must demonstrate the conformity of the plastic by means of a declaration of compliance worded according to the formula set out in Annex IV.

As a rule, tests are needed to demonstrate the compliance of a contact material. Legislation on specific substances, including regulations on plastics and ceramics, specifies the cases in which tests must be conducted to demonstrate compliance with the requirements (overall migration limit, specific migration limit). The list of authorised substances in the Annex to Regulation No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food also gives specific migration limits.

Contact materials and supplies are also subject to a number of other pieces of legislation and guidelines specific to individual materials. At EU level, legislation has been adopted on such as plastics, regenerated cellophane and ceramics. Where EU legislation specific to a certain material exists, contact materials must meet the requirements of such legislation in addition to those laid down in the Framework Regulation. If there is no legislation specific to the relevant material, the safety of contact materials is demonstrated by referring to possible guidelines or legislation of another country.