SG 070/25
The European Commission has released its 2024 annual notification report on food contact materials (FCMs) and related articles, highlighting the key products affected and the most frequently reported issues.
In May 2025, the European Commission issued 2024 Annual Report: Alert & Cooperation Network (ACN) to provide an overview and analysis of the information exchanged between Member States on official controls in food and food contact materials (FCM).
Highlights of the 2024 report on FCM include, but are not limited to:
- Notifications on FCM represent 3% (257 cases) of the ACN notifications, with 70% of these involving potential health risks
- Summarizing major product categories affected and their most reported issues (see Tables 1 and 2 below):
- 50% of these were related to the migration of hazardous chemicals such as formaldehyde, phthalates and primary aromatic amines (PAA)
- Others were mainly compositional issues (e.g. bamboo fibers in melamine and plastic products marketed as eco-friendly alternatives but posing safety risks due to potential formaldehyde migration)
- Bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate cooking molds and children’s tableware
- Unauthorized use of wheat straws in food contact plastics
- Corrosion and abrasion of materials
- Detachment of coatings leading to ingestion of particles
- Non-compliances in relation to documentation and labeling, including missing declarations of compliance (DoC), incomplete labeling and misleading product claims, notably in plastic and silicone tableware
| Item | Scope | Approximate Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kitchenware and tableware | 34% |
| 2 | One-use-only products | 22% |
| 3 | Packaging materials | 18% |
| 4 | Food processing equipment | 15% |
| 5 | Others (baking trays and bottles) | 11% |
Table 1. FCM and articles reported in the ACN report
| Item | Scope | Migrating Compounds |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Melamine tableware | Formaldehyde |
| 2 | Metal such as stainless-steel cookware bottles | Chromium, manganese, nickel |
| 3 | Ceramic products | Aluminum, arsenic, lead |
| 4 | Silicone/plastic molds | Volatile organic compounds (VOC), phthalates |
| 5 | Paper plates | Benzophenone, phthalates |
| 6 | Nylon utensils | PAA |
Table 2. Most common compounds reported for FCM migration in the ACN report
We help manufacturers and suppliers of food contact materials (FCM) achieve compliance with markets worldwide while supporting sustainability and market growth through product certification. Our experts offer extensive experience in testing materials and articles for multiple markets, ensuring they meet regulatory and environmental standards.
We provide comprehensive FCM testing, including migration tests, along with expert guidance on evolving regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. Our expertise ensures your products meet the appropriate territorial regulations for food contact materials and helps pave the way for compliance. Contact us to learn more, or visit our website. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.
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