In the last three years, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) has been entrusted by the MoH to collect and evaluate additives used in food contact materials, with exceptions made for 959 additives that have been specified in the GB 9685-2008.
The primary outcome of this initiative is the generation of following three positive lists of additives in FCMs:
The first batch contains 107 additives used in FCMs (MoH Anouncement 23 of 2011)
The second batch includes 301 additives in FCMs (MoH Anouncement 5 of 2012)
The third batch would cover over 200 additives in FCMs
A statement from an official within the CFSA reported that the third batch is expected to be released in March or April. Since the CFSA intends to revise the GB 9685-2008 (see Chemlinked news on 17 Feb), the official also mentioned that these three lists along with other new additives approved by the MoH will be incorporated into the revised GB 9685-2008, although it may take 3 years for the CFSA to complete its amendment.
It is necessary to check whether the additive you manufacturing or using for food containers and packaging materials is covered by the GB 9685-2008 or the above three lists. if the substance fails to meet these criteria, compulsory registration with the National Center for Health Inspection and Supervision under the MoH is required prior to the application of this new additive according to the Provisions on Administrative Licensing of New Varieties of Food-related Products. The MoH's Announcement 11 of 2012 gets three new FCM additives approved:
1,3:2,4-di-O-(p-chlorobenzylidene)-D-sorbitol (CAS No. 82203-23-4)
2-Propen-1-aminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-2-propenyl, chloride, polymer with ethanedial and 2-propenamide (CAS No. 32555-39-8)
2-Propen-1-aminium, N,N-dimethyl-N-2-propenyl, chloride, polymer with 2-propenamide (CAS No. 26590-05-6)
