When selecting an epoxy resin for food-contact applications, customers often encounter references to both U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations and European Union (EU) food-contact standards. While both regulatory systems are designed to protect consumers, they use different regulatory frameworks and testing requirements.
This article explains the key differences and what they mean for consumers.
What are Food Contact Regulations, and how do these affect us?
Food contact regulations are designed to ensure that materials used in contact with food do not transfer substances into food at levels that could pose a risk to human health.
For epoxy resins, regulations typically focus on:
- The chemical composition of the resin
- Potential migration of substances into food
- Intended use conditions
- Temperature and duration of food contact
- Manufacturing and curing processes
It is important to note that food safety assessments generally apply to fully cured products used as intended.
FDA Regulations in the United States
In the United States, food-contact materials are regulated by the FDA under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
The FDA evaluates food-contact substances based on scientific data relating to expected exposure and safety. Manufacturers may submit information demonstrating that a material is suitable for specific food-contact applications.
The FDA framework focuses on whether a material is safe under its intended conditions of use.
Let Us Look at the EU Regulations
Within the European Union, food-contact materials are regulated under a series of regulations covering materials intended to come into contact with food.
EU regulations establish requirements that food-contact materials must not transfer substances to food in quantities that could:
- Endanger human health
- Cause unacceptable changes in food composition
- Affect taste, smell, or quality
The EU also sets specific migration limits and restrictions for certain substances used in food-contact materials.
What are the Differences Between the FDA and EU Approaches?
One commonly discussed difference is regulatory philosophy.
The FDA generally evaluates materials based on assessed risk under expected conditions of use.
The EU regulatory framework may apply additional restrictions to certain substances based on hazard assessments and precautionary considerations.
Both approaches are intended to protect consumers, although the regulatory requirements and approval pathways may differ.
What Does This Mean for Epoxy Resin Products?
Compliance with either FDA or EU food-contact requirements does not automatically mean that all epoxy products are interchangeable.
The safety and suitability of an epoxy-coated surface depend on several factors, which include the following.
- The specific resin formulation
- Proper curing
- Intended food-contact use
- Exposure temperature
- Duration of contact with food
A properly formulated and fully cured epoxy system that complies with applicable food-contact requirements can be suitable for its intended use.
Resinzwood Standards Expectations
We select epoxy systems that meet relevant regulatory requirements for their intended applications and follow manufacturer specifications for mixing, curing, and use.
We believe customers should have access to clear information about the materials used in our products and the standards those materials are designed to meet.
The most Important Question is not FDA- or EU-Compliant. It is...
- Which exact resin formulation was tested?
- What regulation or migration test was performed?
- Was the finished, cured product tested or just the raw resin?
- Is the intended use incidental contact, repeated contact, or direct food preparation?
Many epoxy manufacturers advertise "FDA compliant" when they really mean the cured resin is claimed to meet certain requirements of 21 CFR 175.300. That is not the same thing as FDA approval of the finished product. Community discussions among regulatory and resin users frequently highlight this distinction.
Factors to consider and to be Mindful of
- Foodstuffs should never come into contact with any raw resin.
- Even though epoxy resins are safe for food to be placed on them, the use of a serving napkin is always a good rule of thumb for extra precautions.
- You should never cut on epoxy resins as it can chip the resin to contaminate the foodstuffs.
Related info about our Epoxy ResinÂ
If you have questions about a specific product, food-contact use, or regulatory standard, we are happy to provide additional information.