General Safety Requirements
As part of the general safety requirements, the quantity of substances transferred from FCM and articles (FCA) to food must not endanger human health or bring about unacceptable changes to the composition of food such as taste and odor.
Diversity & Complexity
The requirements in the Asia Pacific Region are highly complex and diverse. Some countries such as China, Japan and South Korea require conformity assessment procedures to be carried out from approved laboratories for formal acceptance.
General Laws and/or Standards for Key Countries in this Important Region
| Jurisdiction | Legislation/Standard |
|---|---|
| Australia |
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| China |
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| India | The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006 (FSSA, No. 34 of 2006) |
| Indonesia |
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| Japan |
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| Malaysia |
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| Philippines | Republic Act No. 10611 (Food Safety Act of 2013) |
| Singapore | Food Regulations under the Sale of Food Act, 1973 |
| South Korea |
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| Taiwan |
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| Thailand |
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| Vietnam |
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Specific Measures Affecting Bisphenol A (BPA)
Similar to many jurisdictions around the world, many countries in this region restrict or prohibit the use of BPA in FCM and FCA. This includes, but is not limited to China, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea. In Australia, certain major retailers have voluntarily phased-out the use of BPA in polycarbonate plastic feeding bottles.
| Jurisdiction | Citation | Scope | Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Announcement by Parliament Secretary for Health Media Release, 30 June, 2010 | Baby bottles | Voluntary phase out by certain major retailers |
| China | Ministry of Health, Bulletin No. 15 of 2011 | Polycarbonate baby feeding bottles and other infant feeding bottles | Prohibited |
| Japan | Ministry of Health and Welfare Notification No. 370 (1959) – Specifications and standards for foods, food additives etc. No. 3 Apparatus, containers and packaging | Food contact polycarbonate plastics | ≤ 2.5 μg/mL migration (including phenol and p-tert-butylphenol) |
| Malaysia | P.U. (A) 35/12 of the Food Regulations 1985 | Feeding bottles | Prohibited |
| South Korea | Standards and Specifications for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages | Infant feeding bottles | Prohibited |
Food Safety Testing
SGS has the expertise to help manufacturers and suppliers of FCM achieve compliance with markets around the globe. Our technical experts have extensive experience of testing materials and articles for many markets. We offer the full range of FCM testing, including migration tests, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. Our experience can ensure your products meet the appropriate territorial regulations for food contact materials and help pave the way for compliance.