Food-safe plastics: certificates, requirements, applications

Food-safe plastics play a central role in the food industry, in packaging, in the catering sector and in medical technology. They must meet high requirements in order to be safe for health and at the same time offer functional properties such as temperature resistance, chemical resistance or mechanical stability. In this article you will learn which plastics are food-safe, which certificates are relevant and how they are used.

What does "food-safe" mean?

A plastic is considered food-safe if it does not release any harmful substances when in contact with food. This includes ensuring that neither chemical nor sensory changes occur in the food. Safety is regulated by various legal requirements.

In Europe, the basis is Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004, which states that materials that come into contact with food must not release any constituents in quantities hazardous to health. In addition, further standards apply, such as EU Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011, which is specific to plastics.

Relevant certificates and approvals

Depending on the area of application, food-safe plastics require the following verifications or certificates:

EU Regulation 10/2011

This regulation governs the use of monomers and additives in plastic materials and prescribes migration limits for individual substances. A declaration of conformity is mandatory.

FDA conformity

Especially for exports to the USA, approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is required. It defines similar requirements to the EU, but with its own lists and limits.

NSF certification

The National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) offers international standards for hygienic safety, among other things for drinking water systems and food processing.

Further verifications

• Declaration of conformity according to DIN EN 1186
• Migration tests (OML/SML)
• Sensory tests (odour, taste)

Requirements for food-safe plastics

Depending on the area of use, food-safe plastics must satisfy different physical, chemical and hygienic requirements:

Temperature resistance

Many applications require resistance to high or low temperatures, e.g. in refrigerators, dishwashers or warming containers.

Chemical resistance

Important for cleaning processes, especially in industrial food production.

Mechanical strength

Break-resistant, impact-resistant or abrasion-resistant plastics are required for chopping boards, agitators or dosing mechanisms.

Hygienic processing

The surface structure must be smooth, free of pores and easy to clean. In addition, no residues may accumulate.

Suitable plastics in the food sector

Not every plastic is suitable for contact with food. The following materials are generally available as food-safe:

Plastic	Properties	Typical applications
PE (polyethylene)	Very good chemical resistance, flexible, cost-effective	Chopping boards, canisters, films
PP (polypropylene)	Heat-resistant up to approx. 120 °C, sterilisable	Cups, food containers, lids
PET (polyethylene terephthalate)	High transparency, good gas barrier	Bottles, trays, blister packaging
PA (polyamide)	High strength, abrasion-resistant	Meat processing, machine components
POM (polyoxymethylene)	High rigidity, very good sliding properties	Agitators, gears, conveyor technology
PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene)	Temperature- and chemical-resistant, non-stick	Seals, non-stick surfaces
PC (polycarbonate)	Transparent, impact-resistant, limited heat resistance	Viewing windows, dosing containers

Areas of application for food-safe plastics

Packaging

Plastic food packaging must protect the product, ensure a long shelf life and comply with legal requirements. PET, PE and PP are particularly widespread here.

Catering and household

Chopping boards, fresh-keeping boxes, drinking bottles or kitchen appliances often contain PE, PP or PC. Dishwasher resistance and easy cleaning are important here.

Food industry

In industrial production, POM, PA and PTFE are in demand, for example in automated systems, conveyor technology or hygienic machine components.

Medical technology and laboratories

Food-safe plastics are also used here, especially when devices are used for both food and pharmaceutical products.

Conclusion

Food-safe plastics are an essential component of modern food processing, packaging and catering. The selection of suitable materials must always be made taking into account legal requirements, technical requirements and hygienic standards. Only plastics with appropriate certification offer the necessary safety and quality in direct contact with food. Anyone who pays attention to certified materials and processes them properly obtains durable and health-safe solutions for demanding applications.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about food-safe plastics

How do I recognise whether a plastic is food-safe?

By symbols (glass-and-fork symbol), manufacturer information and declarations of conformity.

Are all transparent plastics food-safe?

No. Food safety does not depend on appearance, but on chemical composition and certification.

Can plastics be used food-safe in 3D printing?

Only with specially certified filaments and under very clean production conditions.

What happens if a plastic is not food-safe?

Harmful substances can migrate into the food. This is legally prohibited and risky for health.

What role does processing play?

Even a certified plastic can become unsuitable through incorrect processing (e.g. welding fumes, foreign substances).