FCM (Food Contact Materials) sector

The FCM (food contact materials) sector carries out an extensively wide range of tests on packaging-food interaction, including the production phase and, therefore, food machines, but also any parts, instruments or objects that may come into contact with food.

MATRICES OR TESTS:

The main matrices we analyse are:

Plastic materials (single material, multilayer, multi-material multilayer)
Coating
Silicone
Rubber
Glass
Stainless steel
Tin plate
Ceramics
Aluminium

Furthermore, the laboratory analyses also other materials that are not specifically regulated such as: wood, marble, ferrous alloys, copper and its alloys, other metals and alloys

MAIN TESTS:

Food contact conformity tests through global and/or specific migration analysis on various materials in compliance with applicable legislation
Organoleptic tests
Technological suitability tests
Risk assessments
SET-OFF effect assessment

REGULATORY FRAMEWORK:

The main regulations for the FCM sector are reported below:

REGULATION (EC) No. 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food and repealing Directives 80/590/EEC and 89/109/EEC
REGULATION (EU) No. 10/2011 OF THE COMMISSION OF 14 January 2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
Italian Ministerial Decree 21 March 1973 Sanitary regulation of packaging, containers and equipment intended to come into contact with foodstuffs or with substances for personal use.
REGULATION (EC) No. 2023/2006 OF THE COMMISSION of 22 December 2006 on good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
In addition to other specific regulations for single materials.