What are the materials for contact with food?

Food contact materials are materials that will affect food at some point during packaging, processing, distribution or preparation. They may include containers and kitchen equipment or household equipment - from everything on the factory production line to what can be at home. Different types of materials for contact with food include glass, paper, plastic, coatings and other materials. Sometimes food products will have more than one layer of materials for food contact, such as a glass container containing cucumbers with a paper label on the outside of the container and a metal lid on top of the container. Food products often come into contact with more than one material for contact with food, including food packaging, as well as kitchen utensils, glasses or plates. During interaction of materials for food, food, molecules or chemicals can migrate, which could contaminate food. The regulations are in the place for food safety and because chemical migration sweatRavinary contact materials for food could change the quality of food or damage those who eat food.

In the US, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) consider food contact materials as indirect food additives that are not directly added to food. The FDA does not regulate kitchen equipment or household goods. FDA are also considered two other food ingredients: direct food additives that are added directly to food, and secondary additives to direct foods that are added to food to treat food. Direct food ingredients and secondary direct food ingredients have purpose such as ensuring nutrition, maintaining quality or freshness, helping to prepare or improve taste or look better.

There are many laws, regulations and considerations in terms of food contact materials.Obvious materials and foods with which the materials get into contact. Food contact materials should not be dangerous to people. There are many measurement methods such as measurement of how much chemical migration has occurred, and studies that have been conducted to ensure that food contact materials are safe.