Avoid Risks of Food Contamination
All products that enter in contact with food may release harmful substances during their usage; thus assessing the risk of compliance issues and complying with EU or other local regulations is a must for any brands, importers or retailers. Heat, cold, lubricants and water can affect the consistency of the product and can create conditions conducive to chemicals migration into the food product.
As there is no space between the food and the plate, do not take the risk of having chemical compounds spoil the meal: ask API to produce an assessment it.
Our laboratories in Hong-Kong, Ningbo, and in France can perform either mechanical or chemical tests necessary for the food contact compatibility evaluation and the overall product fit for use.
Our Hong-Kong HOKLAS accredited lab can provide you with the capacity to evaluate inertness (that is having only a limited ability to react chemically) as well as the composition of the food-contact materials. In more specific terms, API can help you assess whether the related materials are in compliance with European directives.
Evaluation of the potential migration of lead, cadmium and/or chromium 6.
Evaluation of the overall migration process. Plastic materials and articles shall not transfer their constituents to foodstuffs in quantities exceeding 10mg/dm2 of surface area of material or article (overall migration limit).
Evaluation of the minimum Chromium content (13%), as well as any possible added elements, Ta, Nb and Zr a maximum content of 1%. We also evaluate the content of the other possible added elements, with a maximum content of 4%: Mo, Ti, Al and Cu. Elements which are not mentioned in the order may be used within the limits written down in the stainless steel sheet of the DGCCRF.
Applicable text: French order of 13/01/1976.
Related standard: NF A 36 711 : “Steel other than packaging- Stainless steel designed to come into contact with foodstuffs, products and drinks for human and animal consumptions.”
Evaluation of potential migration of lead and cadmium.
The applicable texts that address these materials are:
Where no specific European directive exists, national provisions shall apply. For more details please see the national regulation summary. When working with sourcing partners in Asia, API can also provide you with: HKIAS endorsed third-party inspection based on in-house procedure
In order to avoid risk from contamination by food contact with by-products, European regulators have defined three key principles under its key directive EC1935/2004 :
The European regulatory apparatus has also established the scope of the products defined as food contact materials such as:
In order to improve your overall product quality, you will also need subject the production process to a more detailed analysis. API Audit has developed Audit grids to help you understand the overall factory capabilities from:
An Example of Factory Audit Checks Points:
Rooms 803-5, 8/F, Sing Shun Centre, 495 Castle Peak Road, Lai Chi Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
+852 3719 8613 (API HQ)
+852 2611 5609 (API Lab)